At 5 p.m. on October 8, 2024, the walls of the Career Academy Gym rang with the music of 75 students performing in concert during the Career Academy Network’s Fall Concert. Located at 3801 Crescent Circle in South Bend, the Career Academy South Bend facility brought together the High School Symphonic Band, High School Jazz Ensemble, and Eighth Grade Concert Band II for the audience’s listening pleasure.
While there are nearly 200 students in the program, the 75 performing students had no problem filling the gymnasium with the beautiful music that resulted from their dedication to their craft. After countless hours of practice working through difficult sections of the music, both as a group and individually, bringing all the moving pieces together for the Fall Concert made all the effort worthwhile.
"My favorite part is the emotions you feel and the connections you make with the music. It changes your whole mindset. You feel it in your soul. It's just another part of you that comes out, and there are so many emotions that you feel," said Sam Hudak, senior baritone player.
With each solo practice, each band rehearsal, and each performance, the students grow their musical abilities and learn lessons and disciplines that can extend beyond the classroom to be applied to many areas of life.
"Band has given me a lot of confidence," said Honesty Rossi, senior flute player and student president of Career Academy Network's Tri-M Music Honor Society. "Before I played an instrument, I did not like to talk. I did not like to be on stage or be the center of attention. Through band, I grew a lot of confidence and I grew performance skills that I wouldn't get from regular time at school."
As the Fall Concert brought three different bands together, the younger students were able to learn from the older students, and all students were able to perform a variety of songs, including "Cango Caves" by composer Ralph Ford.
"My favorite song from my group is 'Cango Caves.' I can't wait to hear it," said Eighth Grade Tenor Sax Player Arionna Hawkins.
Parents, school faculty, and audience members alike joined in on students’ excitement, enjoying a taste of the fruits of the band students’ labor in a fun, music-filled evening.
"I'm a music fan. I love music and I like to see a live band," said Concert Attendee Frankie Brown. "When the kids out there are learning, that's a beautiful thing to me."
For more information about Career Academy Network, visit casbschools.com.
