Lathrop High Band and LAMP students came together Monday night, giving a knockout performance to a packed theater. Led by the amazing Director of Bands, Desiree Bugarin, student-musicians played songs by Guest Director and local composer Aaron Fonzi, as well as UOP student-teacher Neil Stanley.
Students masterfully performed Mr. Fonzi’s previously unperformed piece, A Celebration Miniature, which delighted the crowd. Hymn for Band by Hugh Stuart was also a favorite piece, earning applause and cheers.
As a surprise to Ms. Bugarin, senior students took a few minutes in the middle of the performance to present her with a gift basket. Tears were shed. Jokes were cracked. It was clear that Ms. Bugarin had created a cherished, life-long bond with her seniors.
“We played well,” Junior trumpet player Kimberly Bareng said after the performance. “My favorite part was playing Fonzi’s piece. It was loud and exciting, and I love those kind of pieces.”
Bareng has been playing under Bugarin since she joined LAMP five years ago. She is simply one example of a dedicated student in Lathrop’s band program.
Parmeet Toger, a junior musician who has played flute for nearly nine years said, “I loved when we played Moscow 1941. It completely changed the atmosphere of the concert–it made the war come to life.”
The band will also be donning Christmas hats and marching in Lathrop’s Christmas parade on Saturday, December 8th at 10:00am.
The Battleground Bulletin 