Packed Gym Celebrates Musicians During Culbertson’s Fall Concert
There was little room left to sit in the Culbertson High School gym on Monday, Oct. 12, as the community gathered to hear an evening of music from the school’s student bands and choirs.
From the fifth-grade band’s opening selections to the high school band’s lively finale, the fall concert gave young musicians a chance to share their work with a packed audience. The program brought together students from fifth grade through high school, offering a glimpse of how Culbertson’s music program grows with its performers.
Under the direction of band teacher Jennesy Taberna and choir teacher Russel Pfeifer, students presented a mix of beginning band tunes, familiar pop songs and Disney favorites. With each ensemble taking its turn, the evening moved from the first building blocks of instrumental music to the fuller sounds of the older groups.
The fifth-grade band opened with Moving on Up, followed by Four by Four and Hot Cross Buns. Its 17 musicians performed on flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, trombones and percussion, bringing several different sounds together as a group.
Their place at the beginning of the program offered a fitting introduction to the evening: young students sharing the musical skills they are developing, with the community there to listen.
The junior high band followed with Twist and Shout and the original Batman theme, adding recognizable melodies to the concert. The 27-member ensemble included woodwinds, brass and percussion, ranging from flute and clarinet to saxophone, trumpet and trombone.
Next, the sixth-grade band performed Ode to Joy and Old MacDonald Had a Band. Its 15 players continued the instrumental portion of the program, with Shyla Douglas on euphonium joining the ensemble’s flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and percussion sections.
The middle school choir then filled the gym with Climb Higher by Pinkzebra and Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. The two selections brought an encouraging message and a playful movie favorite to the evening, giving the young singers their turn in the spotlight.
Several middle school students participated in both band and choir, contributing to the evening as instrumentalists and singers. Their involvement connected the different parts of the program and gave them more than one opportunity to perform.
The high school band continued with Wipe Out and Take on Me, two selections that offered familiar tunes for listeners of different generations. The 35-member band brought together a broad range of instruments, including flute, clarinet, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, keyboard bass and percussion.
The high school choir followed with How Far I’ll Go from Disney’s Moana and Build Me Up Buttercup. Its 16 singers were divided evenly among soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections, combining four vocal parts in a program that moved from a movie ballad to an upbeat pop favorite.
The music program also had an accomplishment to celebrate: Felixe Becker’s selection to the 2026 Montana All-State Band on euphonium. Listed on keyboard bass for Culbertson’s high school concert ensemble, Becker earned recognition beyond the local stage through his all-state selection.
The high school band returned to close the evening with Stand by Me and HandClap, giving the concert a familiar melody followed by an energetic finish. With the gym filled almost to capacity, the night was about more than the selections on the program. It gave the community a chance to see students step into the spotlight, contribute their own part and make music together.
From the youngest band members to the high school performers, Culbertson’s musicians shared an evening of sound and school pride with the people who came to hear them.
