As the lights dim and the audience falls silent, the soft trill of a flute permeates the air. It’s soon joined by the gentle rhythm of a trumpet, followed by percussion, and soon the whole band is joining in to play a rendition of “Reverberations.”

 This ensemble was the opening number of the Spring Band Concert, an event that took place in Meyer Hall on April 20.

“It was a really ambitious concert,” said band sophomore Kara Farrell. “We played 10 songs in less than two hours. But everything flowed smoothly, the music sounded amazing, and ultimately I felt that this concert was one of the biggest successes of the year.”

The Band concert was split into two parts: symphonic band and wind ensemble. Each section performed a broad range of songs, spanning from sweet hymns such as “Variations of a Korean Folk Song” to haunting melodies such as “Inferno.”

The air became heavy as the band played “Healing Stone,” a number dedicated to the students and faculty who’ve recently passed. It was a number laced with grief and sadness, as the band members reflected on the losses they’ve suffered throughout the years. However, interwoven throughout the intricate melodies was the happiness of a new beginning.

“Healing Stone was such an emotional and well-written piece,” said band sophomore Cienna Camilleri. “As I was performing it, I couldn’t help but see the faces of all the students and staff the music department has lost. Alex and Jackie Berman, Lea Jefferson. But there was this incredible unity in the song, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate their lives.”

Furthermore, “Fandango” was a performance joined by band players from UCF, including trumpet player John Almeida and trombone player Michael Wilkinson.

“Working with them was so much fun,” said Farrell. “They knew a lot about music, and I feel that I’ve already learned a lot from them in our short time playing together.”

The performances consisted of multiple sections of instruments coming together as one; each with its own notes, harmonies, and beats. Stringing these songs together involved extensive preparation and organization amongst the students and staff of the music department.

“[Band director Evan Rogovin] first had us learn our individual parts,” said Camilleri. “Afterwards, we spent weeks working on each section of a song at a time. Once we perfected the tempo and harmonies, we worked on putting the sections together to create one grand ensemble.”

As the last note of “Stars and Stripes Forever” was struck, a heavy silence blanketed the room like a curtain. The band members took a breath, their brows moist with sweat and their hands aching from the strain of their instruments. Then, the audience erupted in applause, sweeping the room like a tidal wave, reverberating through every corner of the room.

“It was a great way to close out the year and send off the seniors,” said Farrell.