By Lisa Carolin
Having just the right touch takes practice, and that’s a lesson Beach Middle School Principal Nick Angel is learning as he practices with the school’s Sixth-Grade Band.
Angel came to band practice on Jan. 26 to practice for his role as guest cymbalist at the Feb. 29 Middle School concert.
Although Angel was a member of the choir when he was in middle school, this is his first experience in middle school band.
He told band members, “I want to apologize if I butcher this. Please be patient with me.”
Beach Middle School Band Director Jim Otto told Angel to, “Crash the cymbals much more wildly” at one point, and “Not as loud” at another point.
Students got a kick out of having their Principal’s at the practice.
“It’s cool but weird,” said sixth-grader Xander Willis.
“It’s funny because he told us he never played the cymbals before,” said sixth-grader Russell Sullivan.
Sixth-grader Ty Wagner added, “Mr. Angel isn’t like other principals. He participates with us and does cool stuff.”
Angel appreciates the opportunity because he gets to be with the students and says, “Band connects the students to both the school community and the arts in general.”
“It’s always nice to find ways to include the administration in our concerts, especially Mr. Angel who has been so incredibly supportive,” said Otto. “The students are really excited to have him as our soloist.”
Otto describes the Concerto for Classy Cymbals that Angel is performing as, “a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek piece that will show off Mr. Angel’s great sense of humor.”
By the end of the practice, Otto directed students to take away Angel’s cymbals.
To find out whether or not he’ll get them back, you’ll have to attend the Middle School Band and Orchestra Pre-Festival Concert on Monday, Feb. 29 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Chelsea High School.
