Wiscasset Middle School held the annual spring concert May 29. The evening began with the fifth grade beginner band. Students in that group wowed the audience with their instruments as they played, “We Will Rock You,” a round of “Frere Jacques” and the upbeat piece, “We’ve Got the Spirit.”

Next, the fifth grade chorus took the stage and sang three pieces. The first was called “I Can Can,” which borrows some of the famous Offenbach tune of “Can Can” from Orpheus in the Underworld. Next came “Happiness” (from the musical, “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown”), featuring soloists Katianna Reed, Joanna Collins, Joe York and Jade Shipley. This group concluded their portion of the concert with the popular tune, “Stand By Me,” which included riser choreography.

Maria West then played a beautiful piano solo called, “The Lonely Ballerina,” much to the delight of the audience.

The middle school band took the stage and dedicated their first piece, “Overture Galactica” to all the retiring teachers this year. Next they played the famous piece, “The Pink Panther.” They concluded their portion of the concert with “Bugler’s Dream,” the well-known theme from the Olympics.

The middle school chorus then sang four pieces. They began with “A Mozart Canon,” and then sang the English Folksong, “The Water Is Wide.” Next came the song made popular by the country group Lady Antebellum, “I Was Here.” This featured the eighth grade girls in the chorus singing as a small ensemble during the verses. The last piece was “Viva La Vida” made popular by the group Coldplay.

The concert ended with a song dedicated to Mrs. Bleile, who is retiring after 41 years at Wiscasset Middle School. The song was “For Good” from the musical, Wicked. The song suggests that people come into our lives for a reason and each time we interact with people our lives are changed for good. Mrs. Bleile has changed many lives in Wiscasset for the better as an educational leader and will be missed as she ventures into the next chapter of her life. Students presented her with a bouquet of purple flowers and then the combined choruses sang their song for her.

The concert was directed by Carole Drury (Chorus) and Roger Whitney (Band).