A sea of sunny wood guitars, with one or two red or blue guitars peeking out of the crowd, filled West Fargo High School’s stage the night of Dec. 11th. Before the concert, guitar director Mark Berntson had a good feeling about guitar one’s semester one concert.
“I think we’ve prepared well,” Berntson said.
First year guitar student Katelyn Johnson had mixed feelings in anticipation for the concert.
“I like guitar a lot, but I was nervous,” Johnson said.
The guitar concert started off with a moment of silence in memory of the students lost in the past week. Afterward, the guitar classes played short original pieces by students in each period of guitar one. One of these songs was titled “Raymond’s Creepy Song,” in which Berntson said someone described it as sounding like the music in the beginning of a movie when something is anticipated to happen.
In addition to the original music, students played several well-known songs, such as “Every Breath You Take” and “Stand By Me,” which both included vocals sung by Andrina Brogden.
Berntson was especially excited about the song “You Really Got Me” by Ray Davies.
“It’s simple, but it’s catchy,” Berntson said. “It rocks.”
“You Really Got Me” was performed by the period four guitar class and Mrs. Baker’s class. The kids seemed to enjoy this song, expressing the upbeat sound by dancing to the xylophone, drums, and guitar.
Including the performances by West Fargo’s guitar students and Mrs. Baker’s class, an adult guitar class, taught by Berntson, also performed.
Some students felt a little unprepared for the concert, but thought it was a mild success in the end.
“The concert went okay, but this was like our first time playing altogether. I wish we had more time playing together,” Lexi Tollefson said.
Students had an enjoyable night strumming on their guitars. Farah Hassan thought the concert went well and he hopes he can stay in guitar as long as he can.
“I wasn’t nervous, it was fun.” Hassan said. “I felt prepared because we have been practicing in school and stuff. My favorite part was the last part (American Pie).”