Ada 6-12th grade band members will combine for the premiere performance of “Vision Quest” to conclude the 5th-8th grade band and 6-8th grade choir concert Monday, May 19, at 7 p.m. in the Ada school auditorium. 

This will be the first public performance of the piece commissioned and paid for by the Ada Music Boosters. Composed by Ohioan James Swearingen, this contest-style piece begins with a slow lyrical section which grows into a faster, more aggressive second section. 

“Given the uniqueness of the opportunity, the piece is being debuted by the combined 6th, 7th, 8th, and high school bands to maximize the number of students exposed to the performance,” said director Jonathan Lischak.

The concert will also feature the 6th grade band performing "The Lost Tomb," "Shades of Gold" and "The Tempest." 

Ada Junior High Band selections will include themes from "The Hunger Games," "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back," "Sponge Bob Square Pants," and "The Wizard of Oz."  

The 6th, 7th and 8th grade choirs will also be included in the evening’s performance.

The following evening, Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. the community is invited to the Ada High School Band concert. Ada High School band selections include: “Zeus King of the Gods” composed by Rob Romeyn, highlights from the movie “Frozen,” “The Fives Prevail!” by Richard Saucedo and “Crush” by Robert W. Smith. 

Throughout the performance high school band and guard members will receive awards for years of participation in the music programs. The national John Philip Sousa Award, recognizing an individual for superior musicianship, dependability, loyalty, and cooperation and the Arion Award given for outstanding achievement in both academic and community involvement as well personal and professional performing ability will be awarded. 

Local awards including the Kate Brown Award and the Ron McVicker Scholarship will also be given. 

About James Swearingen

James Swearingen is an American composer and arranger. He holds a Master's Degree from Ohio State University and a Bachelor's Degree from Bowling Green State University and is currently Professor of Music, Department Chair of Music Education at Capital University, Columbus.

The music he writes is part of a small genre known throughout American high school band classes as concert literature, generally two to six-minute long pieces played for high school band concerts. He is a recipient of numerous ASCAP awards.