THS Band Goes to the West Side

Julia McElreath

             Thomasville High School Band has recently prepared a reproduction of the hit Broadway musical, West Side Story. West Side Story is about two gangs and their struggle to rule over their city, the West Side of Manhattan, New York. Now, our very own THS band is performing many of the songs from this Tony Award winning play.

            Mr. Schmidt, the director of the band, tells us that they are playing songs from West Side Story such as “Tonight”, “Gee, Officer Krupke”, “I Have A Love”, “Somewhere”, and “America”. “I feel like I need to expose the students to a Broadway play,” says Schmidt. “I know most of them don’t know what one is like, so I want them to have that experience.” This is Mr. Schmidt’s first year directing band at Thomasville High School.

             Mitchell Christie, a member of the THS band drum line, says, “I really like the production of West Side Story. The songs are so much fun to play.” Christie has played in the MacIntyre Park Middle School Band and is currently a member of the THS Band. “I really like Mr. Schmidt,” reports Christie. “He’s got a lot of new ideas that we could make work.”

            Saxophone player Rebecca Peralta comments, “I really enjoy playing West Side Story because I know all of the songs. I think that something more related to our school spirit would’ve been great, but the West Side Story idea is really cool, too.  Mr. Schmidt has tons of great fresh ideas.” Peralta has been in band ever since fifth grade. “I really like band,” says Peralta. “You meet a lot of new people.”

            The Thomasville High School Band performs West Side Story at all of the Thomasville High School football games, home and away. So, next time you’re at a THS football game, listen to our great band and their magnificent show.