Written by: Aliyah Chandra-Lazar

Rookie Reporter

Liberty High School has many unique classes to offer. One of them includes our amazing band directed by Mr. Malpass and Mrs. Patinsky. I had the chance to speak to these two brilliant teachers and they did not disappoint. “Liberty High School’s band has been here since the beginning of the school. Yeah, we’ve been here for a long time.” With a number of 500 students in the program and 2 instructors, Mr. Malpass and Mrs. Patinsky have a lot on their plates.  “So, we actually have a lot of different bands. We have an Advanced band and  Intermediate band, a Jazz band, but unfortunately no beginner band. I believe the  Jazz band and marching band have the most students. The majority of the students had band as an elective in middle school and once they came here they were either placed in the Intermediate band or advanced depending on how skilled they were. We rarely take beginners, but if the student is willing to put in the hard work and can keep up, then we are willing to take them in. However, like I said, they need to be willing to put in the hard work, because otherwise they won’t be able to keep up and it will just slow down the whole band. It’s a domino effect.”

Mr. Malpass also provided some dates for the band’s upcoming performances. “We have a jazz performance on February 17th for the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band competition.” It’s one of their biggest performances, so they would be overjoyed to have visitors come and support them! They will also be at the CCSD Pre-Festival on the 23rd.

The band is for anyone that took the course in middle school, and while a beginning band is not in place yet, Mr. Malpass would be more than happy to take in students who can keep and lift up the band. Consider joining this incredible course for next year, since there are many travel benefits that come along with it, as well as the benefit of learning something new!