Cambridge spring concert showcases music, milestones and momentum

Staff ReportsFri, May 8, 2026 at 9:11 AM UTC

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More than 150 talented students in grades six through 12 took the stage at Cambridge High School recently for the annual spring concert, according to a community announcement.

The concert included performances by multiple middle and high school ensembles and recognition of five senior band members − Alex Geiler, Gracie Rodriguez, Allie Stanley, Madelyn Thomas, and Beka Zaleski.

Five Cambridge High School senior band members were recognized at the recent Spring Band Concert. The seniors are, from left, Beka Zaleski, Madelyn Thomas, Allie Stanley, Gracie Rodriguez, and Alex Geiler.

Bands that performed included middle school lab band, the sixth-grade concert band, the middle school concert band made up of seventh and eighth graders, the high school jazz band, and the high school concert band.

A highlight of the evening was the debut of “A World Beyond,” a piece commissioned in honor of longtime Cambridge Middle School teacher Michele Haverfield, as well as a showcase of the district’s continued growth in its band program.

The honorary piece was written by Steve Danyew and has two-fold inspiration as it reflects both on the next chapter of our lives after retirement and the vastness of space beyond our planet, the announcement stated.

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“Some scientists believe that there may be another planet in our solar system, far beyond Pluto,” Danyew said in the announcement. “This intriguing idea led me to imagine music that is a bit otherworldly, mysterious, and exciting. It is my hope that this work honors the long and distinguished career of Michele Haverfield and that she enjoys her ‘World Beyond.’”

Band program is growing

Current middle school band director John Logan Krnach took over the band in 2022, when the marching band was down to 18 students, and the concert band was at 23 students.

During the spring concert, the concert band performed with 51 students and marched with nearly as many during the fall. Additionally, 23 sixth graders, 26 seventh graders, and 33 eighth graders performed with the middle school bands including a lab band that didn’t exist four years ago.

There are also 34 students in the beginning band program, which was introduced as a year-long program in 2022.

“I am glad the students had the opportunity to demonstrate the results of their hard work and dedication whether it was first- or second-year musicians or sixth- and seventh-year musicians,” Cambridge Superintendent Dan Coffman said in the announcement.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: A night of music marks growth and celebration for Cambridge bands

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