The year is slowing down for students in the music department, as they prepare for end-of-year concerts and small events.

The annual Pancake Breakfast, taking place on May 2, is a highlight of the year for many students, because it gives all the music department members, including band, choir and orchestra, a chance to perform at a casual concert while enjoying eating pancakes with their friends.

“People from all over the community come to the pancake breakfast, ” said department head Michael Boitz. “First they come here, hear their kid or friend perform, then people usually go over to the Saratoga Rotary Arts show, which also usually happens in the afternoon on the same day.”

The performers, ranging from 5th grade to high school students, each are given 10 minute slots and rotate around the stages set in the Quad. The community members stop by the school and mingle with each other while enjoying the breakfast made by parents and teachers. While they watch the different activities, they can also browse tables of silent auctions, which raises money for the music department.

Soon after, each music group will be having their end-of-the-year concert. The Saratoga Jazz and Percussion Concert will be on May 13 in the McAfee Center. They will be debuting two pieces composed by Ryan Masterson, the percussion teacher. In a later concert, the jazz band will be performing with Ted Tamaguchi’s All Star band at West Valley College.

The symphonic bands will be performing on May 20, and the wind ensemble, string orchestra and and philharmonic orchestra will be performing on May 21.