That was demonstrated on Sunday (Feb. 18) afternoon during the Northeast Community College Winter Concert, including a moving piece titled, “At the Beginning of the Rainbow,” performed by the Concert Band.
Kevin McLouth, Northeast music instructor and director of the band, introduced Chad Dean, the O’Neill High band director, who told the story behind the piece. Dean commissioned the piece, which was composed by Nolan Schmit of Lincoln, who is the voice of the Cornhusker Marching Band.
Schmit, who got started teaching at the Orchard Public Schools, currently lives and composes music in Lincoln. Dean approached Schmit, telling him that everyone knows what is at the end of a rainbow – a pot of gold.
Dean asked the audience if they ever wondered what was at the beginning of the rainbow – “a treasured gift.”
“A rainbow baby is a child who is born after a woman has had a miscarriage. It brings hope to families’ lives after such a tragedy,” Dean said.
Dean’s wife, Becky, was pregnant in October 2003, with the couple’s third child, due the following May. After sharing news of the pregnancy, complications arose, and Becky lost the unborn baby.
Dean said his family went through the normal emotions after such a tragedy, then Becky became pregnant again and learned that it would be an unusual, risky pregnancy. After many stressful months, the Deans had their third child in August 2004, and prayers were answered, he said.
“Though we celebrate the lives of our children daily, we never forget about the one who never reached our family in person,” Dean said.
The piece included soft portions -- like a lullaby -- and a few bars of “Over the Rainbow” on the piano from the Wizard of Oz. The song brought tears to some audience members and enthusiastic applause at the conclusion.
Margaret Schultz, Northeast music instructor and director of choral activities, was the accompanist on piano for the piece.
Another highlight of the concert was the Concert Choir women performing “The Snow Has A Song.” Schultz, who was the director of the Concert Choir, said she naturally had no idea what Mother Nature would be bringing in January when she picked her pieces in December.
“I know the snow we had in January wasn’t sweet, but the women’s song is sweet so we will do our best to remedy the fury of January snow,” Schultz said.
Other highlights included a Sousa march from the Concert Band, and the Concert Choir men and women each singing independently.
Winter Concert Cutline 1
Margaret Schultz, Northeast music instructor and director of choral activities, directs the Northeast Community College Concert Choir in five songs during the Winter Concert on Sunday, Feb. 18. (Northeast Community College)
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