Bands Are Great At State
The State Band Festival was held at Lindbergh High School this year. On March 2, the Freshman, Concert, and Symphonic Bands were featured. The Concert Band was first with "Beyond the Summit" by Brian Balmages, a new composer who joined us for a rehearsal as a part of our preparation. The second selection was "The Thunderer" by John Philip Sousa. They earned three II ratings in the prepared music and a I rating in sight reading for an overall rating of II.
The Freshman Band was featured in their first appearance at the MSHSAA State Band Festival. They performed "Sparks" by Brian Balmages and "In Quest of Excellence" by Robert Longfield. They earned two I ratings and a I- for their prepared music and a I rating in sight reading for a rating of I.
The Symphonic Band performed "Manhattan Beach" by John Philip Sousa and "An Original Suite" by Gordon Jacob which featured Kristen Voss on alto saxophone as well as Cameron Schmitz and Kylan Morris on trumpet. They earned two I ratings and a I- in prepared music and a I rating in sight reading for an overall rating of I.
The Symphonic Band divided into instrument families for the large ensemble events at Florissant Valley on March 6. The Brass Choir went first with "Three Pieces from Water Music" by George Frideric Handel, arranged by Robert King. They earned three I ratings for a superior overall rating of I.
The Woodwind Choir played Eine kleine Nachmusik, I. Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arranged by John Arata. They earned three I ratings for an overall rating of I.
The Percussion Orchestra played The Four Seasons, IV. Winter by Antonio Vivaldi, and The Planets, I. Mercury by Gustav Holst, arranged by James Ancona. They earned two I ratings and a II rating for an overall rating of I.
