AHS’s concert bands engaged in the holiday festivities last night, with their annual winter concert. The three bands, jazz, gold and symphonic,  performed multiple festive pieces in an effort to raise money for the Mary Read Scholarship.

The scholarship was started in honor of Mary, following her tragic death at Virginia Tech, because of her large participation in the band program. It is to be presented to one senior in band that “shows the same compassion that Mary did,” said her father Peter Read, who attended the concert.

Tech also has a scholarship similar to the one at AHS. The scholarship for AHS is to be given out in June during the band awards ceremony. “I’m going to try to get the Mary Read Scholarship because I feel like I’m one of the last people who actually knew her,” said senior Danny DeVera.

Throughout the concert, donations were made to put towards the scholarship. During the breaks, while the stage was being set up, Read and Band Booster member Nancy DeVera emphasized donating towards the benefit.

The show itself, started with a few bangs of the drums as the jazz band filed into their seats on the auditorium stage. Children in the audience danced along to the upbeat tunes. During the song, Christmas Is Here, Danny DeVera sang along with the band’s music. Senior Connor Volk, on trumpet, also had an important role with his various solos.

The other two concert bands played more traditional and less up-tempo music. The recently-combined red and gold bands performed together last night. They played the famous holiday melody Snow!, commonly known as Winter Wonderland.

Following the performance of the gold band was the symphonic band. The band continued its long-lasting tradition of playing the songs The Festival of Hanukkah, Greensleeves and Sleigh Ride.

Some band members wore hats, like the one that Santa Claus is commonly represented in, while on stage. This lightened the holiday spirit in the audience as well as in the performers. The stage was also decorated with leftover poinsettias from the Band Booster’s recent fundraiser.

All three bands had been preparing for the concert since October. This was band director Mark Carter’s first performance with the concert bands, and he had high hopes for them. “I think they’re gonna have a great performance. I’m looking forward to a really good show,” said Carter, before the show.