Emotional Night at the Malta HS Pops Concert

The Malta seniors played the final concert of their careers on Friday, May 13. A concert that was set to be played outside, was thankfully moved into the gymnasium due to wind and rain.

The choir and band sang and played numbers that they had performed at the Montana State Music Festival, most of which received a superior I grade.

The night moved back and forth between different ensembles of the choir and band. Starting with the Concert Choir singing 'Hold Fast to Dreams'.

That was followed by the Sax Choir playing 'Marche Militare', and the Woodwind Choir playing 'Willie, Take Your Fife'.

The Choirs' Mixed Ensemble sang 'Exsultate Justi', and the Men's Ensemble sang 'A Rovin''.

Malta's Drum Line played 'Bumper, The Fleet, Raven'. Followed by the Trumpet Ensemble playing 'Boogie, Woogie, Bugle Boy'.

The MHS Euterpes sang 'Song of Miriam' and the Swing Choir sang 'Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing'.

Followed by two numbers from the Malta Jazz Band. 'Run for Cover', and 'What Happens in Jazz Band, Stays in Jazz Band'.

Before the choir sang its last song of the night, 'Lovely Day', Malta High School Principal Shawn Bleth addressed the crowd and Mrs. Murdock.

"Four years ago, MHS was in need of a choir teacher in a pretty bad way. Mrs. Webb, Mrs. Murdock's daughter had just been hired to be the counselor at the school, and one day she said, 'I think my mom might want to come back up to this area.' After being a teacher for a long time in Whitewater and having retired, it didn't take us long to get in contact with her, and pretty soon, here she was," Bleth said. "It has been a pleasure having Mrs. Murdock here with us for the last four years. On behalf of the school, we appreciate what you have done for us in the relatively short time, but quality time, that you have been here. Your spirit and your energy around the school are very appreciative and I really enjoyed it. Your effort and dedication to our students are very evident on concert day. Mrs. Murdock, enjoy your retirement, we will miss having you around. Congratulations."

"Mrs. Murdock is so amazing," said senior choir member Jade Darrington. "We have been blessed these last four years with everything you have done for the choir. When we went to districts and state, all of the adjudicators said 'Mrs. Murdock is something special. You guys have a choir teacher who can do everything you need done'. So we have been truly blessed to be able to have her here. I don't want to say we took you for granted Mrs. Murdock, but I think we took you for granted. We are going to miss you so much. Thank you for everything you have done for us and enjoy your retirement."

Bleth and Darrington presented Mrs. Murdock with flowers and pictures. Murdock then addressed the crowd and her choir.

"Who knew, who knew?!" she said. "I thought I was done. I retired in 2011 and went to work for Eckroth Music in Bozeman. I had given away a lot of my education books because I thought I was done. This has been a bonus for me. The Malta school system is fabulous, the administration is amazing to work for, and I have loved all of the teachers that I have gotten to know. I have loved all of the students. Especially these seniors. I have had them since they were freshmen. They are such hard workers and leaders for the choir."

Mrs. Murdock handed out some additional awards to her choir members.

National Choral Award – Draven Lageson

Most Improved Choir Award – Kash Stiles

Most Valuable Choir Award – Jade Darrington

Directors Award for Chorus – Skylie Lefdahl and Kira Beck

The choir then finished their night with the song 'Lovely Day'.

It was an emotional night on the band side as well.

Before the concert band played its last four songs, seniors Ashlynn Morser, Taylor Score, and Lavida Grotte-Dalby presented Mr. Engebretson with a couple of framed pictures. One that Morser had drawn herself, and the other Mr. E's last name in music signatures.

"This is the best and worst part of the year," said an emotional Morser. "Because I get to thank you for giving us seniors four amazing years of band. It has been so inspiring for us to have you stay for us. For being an amazing role model and just being there for us. Honestly, these gifts don't feel like enough to give you. But it's what we have. Thank you."

Senior Lavida Grotte-Dalby presented Mr. E. with a star quilt.

"I would like to honor Mr. E. with a star quilt for being there for me all four years," said Grotte-Dalby. This man has truly been an inspiration to me. Thank you."

Mr. E. thanked everyone for being at the concert and thanked the seniors for the wonderful gifts. He said that he had asked Ashlynn to do a drawing for the music room and that this is above and beyond anything he could have imagined.

Mr. E. then thanked and congratulated Mrs. Murdock on her retirement.

"I was really worried four years ago. I was thinking to myself, 'I don't want to have to do choir too'. I told Scott King, 'I'm not going down with a sinking ship'. I think he believed me. I want to thank you for coming here and keeping our Malta music tradition alive. You stepped right in and there were absolutely no problems. You are an amazing person and friend. Thank you for being here."

Mr. E. had two awards to give out that night.

Jazz Combo Award – Taylor Score

Concert Band Award – Ashlynn Morser

The night was finished with four songs from the concert band. 'Mustang', 'Whacked', 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight', and 'Vehicle'.

Then two more songs from the Jazz Combo.

It was a beautiful night of music and celebration. Good luck to all of the seniors and to Mrs. Murdock in your retirement.