By Rupert Howell
South Panola Schools director of bands Richard Shirey has announced a free concert featuring the district’s five bands next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Batesville Civic Center.

During South Panola Junior High School’s Christmas concert in 2013, overflow crowds caused nearly 200 people to stand and that was with students just inviting friends and family for only the junior high bands.

The 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade bands are made up of BJH and Pope students. The concert and symphonic bands are made up of high school students.

“We even considered having three concerts; the concerts could be shorter and the crowds would be smaller. It takes a long time to seat a band, have them perform, seat another band, have them perform,” Shirey said of the Jr. High band’s Christmas concert.

So on a whim prior to last year’s Spring Concert which involves all the district’s bands, Shirey contacted the civic center. He had an idea to have each band on the performance floor at the same time.

“If we paced the flow of the performances just right, we could play the same amount of music, the parents could see the progress that kids make from grade to grade, and we could host all of the performances on the same night. We played 19 pieces in 62 minutes,” Shirey said.

“This year we’ll have 330 students on the arena floor. I tell people we have to move everything we own to the civic center, but it’s worth it,” Shirey added.

Shirey will emcee and direct the symphonic band, Tim Goss will direct the concert and 7th grade bands. Laura Bryant will direct the 8th grade and Lee Moyer will direct the 6th grade. Student teacher, Cameron Allen, from the University of Mississippi will make his conducting debut.

“The performance is open to the public and admission to the concert is free,” Shirey stated. Donations to the Liz Woodard memorial scholarship fund will be accepted.

Each of the five bands will perform a wide range of entertaining music by preeminent composers from the early 20th century up to the present day according to Shirey.