Fifty students at Lehighton Area High School recently performed in the annual Concert Band Spring Concert under the direction of Bryan Buffington, director.

Buffington had high praise for his students, especially for their behavior and talent while performing in Nashville."The highlight of their trip was performing at the Grand Ole Opry," said Buffington.Several students had the opportunity to shine in solo arrangements and one student chose a selection and served as a guest conductor.The concert open with "Fanfare for a Celebration," and during the second piece, "Follow the River," two students were soloists, Stevi Lenahan, flute; and Laura Cressley, piano.They also played, "The Witch and the Saint," with soloists, Laura Cressley, flute; Abby-Rae Knappenberger, bass clarinet; and Zachary Kobal, baritone.Before playing, "Amazing Grace," director Buffington, said that he had planned to dedicate the selection to his grandmother who recently passed, but then realized many of his students lost loved ones, so the song was dedicated in memory of all the band members' loved ones. During this selection, soloists were, Laura Cressley, flute; Jennifer Lichtenwalner, Cassandra Snyder, and Tabitha Weaver, clarinet; Donald Smith and Christopher Windbeck, alto saxophone; Avery Frohnheiser, trumpet; Nicholas Barnhart, baritone and Benjamin Hauser, tuba.Selections from "The Phantom of the Opera," arranged by Warren Barker, was a crowd pleaser. Soloists were, Laura Cressley, flute; Stephen Pickerin, trumpet; Joshua Eremus, french horn; Zachary Kobal, baritone; Katie Eidem and Kacie Smalley, keyboard; and Peter Phelan, piano.Stephen Pickerin selected, "Celtic Voyage" to conduct and soloists were, Laura Cressley, flute."The Great Steamboat Race," included some homemade instruments made from gallon jugs to give their performance unique "sliding" sounds. Soloists were, Laura Cressley, flute; Jordan Burbage and Jennifer Lichtenwalner, clarinet; Stephen Pickerin, trumpet; Adam Reichard and Corey German, trombone; and Benjamin Hauser, tuba.Also performed were, "Appalachian Morning," with soloists, Jordan Burbage, clarinet; Emily Shelly, alto saxophone; and Stephen Pickerin, trumpet. The concert concluded with "Earthdance," which opened with the students snapping their fingers for sound.Concert band members are: Stevi Lenahan, Samantha Bowman, Jennifer Lichtenwalner, Donald Smith, Kristen Campbell, Stephen Pickerin, Benjamin Hauser, Shauna Brown and Jennifer Radler.Buffington was proud to announce that 34 students attained 2011 County Band. Members are: Laura Cressley, Stevi Lenahan, Paige Steigerwalt, Samantha Bowman, Jennifer Lichtenwalner, Rebecca Nagy, Cassandra Snyder, Rebekah Fritz, Emily Shelly, Donald Smith, Sara Wingert, Cierra House, Daniel Edmunds, Joseph Dobrowski, Avery Frohnheiser, Carter McCandless, Stephen Pickerin, Corey German, Adam Reichard, Benjamin Ronemus, Nicholas Barnhart, Zachary Kobal, Benjamin Hauser, Anthony Bear, Matthew Schweitzer, Shauna Brown and Kacie Smalley.Zachary Kobal is a 2011 member of District Band.