The top musical groups of Buffalo High School came together to put on the Showcase Concert, a chance to recognize seniors of the music department and for many of the groups perform one last time before summer. The groups performing were: Concert Orchestra, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Chamber Strings, Jazz 1, and BHS Singers.
The Concert Orchestra began the concert with three pieces. “Serenade in E Minor, Mvt. 1,” which they had performed earlier this year, “Cantabile (from Symphony No. 5),” and “Perseus.” “Perseus” is a program piece telling the story of Perseus slaying Medusa and his rescue of princess Andromeda. The Orchestra is conducted by Music Teacher Mike Knutson, featured soloist was Senior Abigail Winterhalter.
Concert Choir took the stage for their three pieces, all conducted by Choir teacher Michael Walsh, “Vox Populi,” and “Music In the Night,” a song that they had performed three times before, but never in Buffalo. The final piece had the choir students moving and making animal noises during “Trěs Cantos Nativos Dos Indios Kraó.”
Small group ensembles proceeded with Chamber Strings performing two songs, “Quartet No. 12 (“American”), Mvt. 3 was inspired by Iowa. Jazz 1 performing two and BHS singers performing three songs. During Jazz 1 Seniors Jonathan Danielson, Tim Kunze, Hanna Svoboda, Jessa Sigurdson, Ellie Bischoff, and Hannah Walters were featured soloists. “Seeking My Home” is a favorite of the BHS jazz department getting played often for different events. BHS singers featured Seniors Andy Jacobsen, Charlie Aldrich, and Walters during Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes.” 
Before intermission Concert Band, conducted by Music teacher Scott Rabehl, performed “Tempered Steel,” featuring Seniors Walters, Michael Burgdorf, Jared Yatckoske, and Juniors Claire Daughters, and Kirsten Fenton. They also performed “October,” “Second Suite in F, March and Song without Words,” as well as “With Heart and Voice.” Soloists throughout the three include Seniors Tommy Olson, Brody Smith, Krista Schuetzle, Walters, Angela Eastland, Bischoff, Eric Selchow, Frannie Pearson, Samantha Paripovich, Sigurdson, Junior Emily Klatt, and the entire percussion section. “With Heart and Voice” was commissioned by Apple Valley High School, a school dedicated to the arts. But Rabehl believes that the song fits Buffalo High School just as well.
After intermission seniors were recognized with their photographs projected onto a screen and received a plaque. Special awards were then given out, first were the Tri-M Outstanding Leadership, Service, and Master Musician Awards. The other awards were Semper Fidelis Award- awarded to Hannah Walters, Louis Armstrong Award- awarded to Jon Danielson, National School Orchestra Award- awarded to Emily Bedker, National Shool choral Award- awarded to Charles Aldrich, and John Philip Sousa Award- awarded to Michael Burgdorf.
Once all the awards, flowers to Music Secretary Jill Starr and goofy gifts to the teachers the final song was “Andrew Lloyd Webber: A Concert Celebration” with soloists Seniors Alanna Girard, Sigurdson, Sabrina Dahl, Amanda Jendro, Angie Asleson, Kirsten Olson, and Junior Peter Manz. Chairs and stands were shoved into nearly every corner of the stage to make room for all three performing groups finale.
For many showcase was their last concert, but the Concert Choir will perform once more on Tuesday May 29 for the Arts Finale.
