THOMASVILLE — The Thomas County Central High School Bands program is hard at work placing final touches to its spring concert.

Spring Concert 2017 will take place 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium. Admission is free. Those involved in the event believe it is sure to be a memorable concert, which “will feature a wealth of music and dance entertainment,” according to TCCHS Bands Director Michael Thomas.

“The school year is about to close and the bands at TCCHS are preparing to use all the skills they have developed to display an evening of musical adventure to share with our community,” he said.

The concert will open with the national anthem as a tribute to America. Interspersed throughout the evening are several small ensemble works that highlight the musical capability of many sections within the band.

Their short works range from classical to pop, thought-provoking to laughs. As a first offering, the audience will be treated to “Ode to Joy”in a brass ensemble setting.

The first stage presentation of the evening will be the Thomas County Central Blue Band under the direction of Paul Johns. The band will present four works: a unique march by Brian Balmages called “Marche Diabolique,” a lyrical piece called “Gently Blows the Summer Wind”by Randall Standridge, Eastern European dance work “Bucimis” by Bob Lipton, and the timeless classic “Themes from Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and arranged by Vinson.

“I am so excited to perform in the show,” blue band member Maddie Johnson said. “My favorite piece would have to be ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ because it is such a great mashup of the songs.”

Two interesting ensembles will be presented next: “Lassus Trombone” by a trombone quartet followed by a saxophone ensemble performing “The Addams Family”theme.

“We encourage finger snaps on the latter by the audience,” Thomas said.

Following these ensemble works the Thomas County Central Gold Band will take the stage under Thomas’ direction. The band will present a diverse program: “Revelation March” by W. Paris Chambers and edited by John R. Bourgeois, the Beeler arrangement of Ralph Vaughan Williams “Rhosymedre,” the overture from “The Wizard of Oz,”and finish witha little Irish flavor in presenting the “Kirkpatrick Fanfare” by Andrew Boysen Jr.

Several ensemble works will be offered by multiple brass, French horn and flute ensembles. These include “Alleluia,” “Resonet In Laudibus,” “It Is Well With My Soul” and “Prayer.”

As these ensembles appear, the stage will morph to reveal the Thomas County Central Jazz Band under the direction of Johns. Opening this portion of the concert will be the Herbie Hancock favorite, “Watermelon Man.”

The jazz band takes a musical leap next to feature a unique chart by the alternative rock band, Radiohead, entitled “Everything in Its Right Place.” This portion of the concert will end with distinguished alum, Lillie Smith, as Flugelhorn soloist on “Blue” by Shew.

Other selections include the television/movie theme “Mission Impossible” as played by the jazz band’s saxophone section and a contemporary percussive novelty, “The Stool of Rock.”

“An interesting group of six percussionists enters, armed with one drumstick, a drumhead and a wooden drum pad each,” Thomas said.

The entertainment moves to visual dance as the TCCHS Dazzlers, under the direction of Lynn Wise and assisted by Shelby Mitchell, present their special dance/visual choreography entitled “Nerds.”

To conclude the concert there will be a special presentation by the Thomas County Central “Best of the Nest” Marching Band as it performs “America.”

“We hope the anticipation of Spring Concert 2017 has you ‘Buzzing’ to come and join us for a fantastic night Tuesday,” Thomas said. “Please come and be guests of the Thomas County Central High School Bands.”