Every year, the Winter Band Concert serves as a milestone for Lexington’s music community, showcasing the talents of musicians ranging from fifth graders to Lexington High School seniors.

This event not only highlights the progress of individual performers but also fosters a sense of unity and inspiration among band members. 

“It’s a chance for people to see the progress throughout the years and show off the pieces that the bands are learning,” Athena Wang, a senior member of the LHS band program, said. 

From elementary schoolers playing tunes like “Hot Cross Buns” to older students performing complex pieces like “Dancing Fire” and selections from The Lion King, the concert repertoire spotlights the diverse skills of the performers.

“The concert lets the older kids reflect on how far they’ve come in their music journeys and lets the younger kids hear bands that they may join as they grow older. It’s also a celebration of our hard work as band students that gathers all the bands together to hear everyone else,” Wang said. 

Preparation for the Winter Band Concert required months of dedication and practice. 

“It’s a heavy responsibility, especially if you have a solo as it’s really hard to play in tune for some instruments. You have to take extra time to prepare for your solo as it is the ‘cherry on top’ of the whole performance,” Cindy Lee, a senior flautist in Wind Ensemble, said. 

The Winter Band Concert is not only an opportunity to showcase musical talent, but is also a cherished tradition that many students look forward to. 

“I want to continue playing at these concerts as there is a sense of accomplishment once you finish. The concerts are for everyone, not just myself. We have a really high-quality music program, so I hope the community feels a sense of accomplishment for that,” Lee said. 

Outside of performances, bands like the LHS Wind Ensemble enjoy spending quality time with each other which allows for cohesiveness in each music piece despite varying musical styles. 

“At the beginning of the year, we do a lot of bonding activities. We have summer meet and greets, potlucks, and all the trips that bond us as we spend so much time together.” Lee said.

Lee looks forward to future concerts, which she hopes will be improved by new performers. 

“I’m really excited to see how the ensemble changes as people are graduating and with different people coming in we get different expressions. The same music can sound really different when it’s played by another person,” Lee said.