Solos and bright colored costumes highlight the Family and Friends concert on April 12. Jazz, Concert and the junior high band added an additional performance into their itinerary prior to the year finale, the annual Spring Concert.

“I thought the concert was a complete success,” director Chris Rice said. “We pulled off our laidback theme with our appearance changes.”

Senior Aaron Ortiz comments on his fellow band member’s performance.”

“The concert went well,” Ortiz said. “New band students like Ross [Perry,’10] got to play solos which I believe was an excellent experience for him. I enjoyed my solo because improve allows me to be creative.”

Some of the band members were surprised with their performance with absent members.

“I thought we did well,” Alexandra Aleman, ’10, said. “The band has struggled with students quitting and with Jason Savage [’07] absent last night I was satisfied with how we played.”

The junior high band contributed played a couple of songs and believes they learned from the high school musicians.

“It was fun to see the high school perform,” Harry McCombs, ’12, said. “I consider many of the older band students as role models, because they help me by giving me advice when I need it. When I watch them play it motivates me to keep playing my instrument.”

An expected turnout at the Family and Friends Concert, in the Riverpark Bible Church, encourages Rice for the upcoming concert, on May 15.

“I was pleased with the turnout at the concert,” Rice said. “With only three weeks left till our next concert, I hope we will be ready considering we will be playing all new music.”

To recognize a year worth of work, Rice took the high school bands to North California, on April 13. They arrived on campus around midnight on April 15. For more information regarding the trip check out the April 13, 2007, article, Band celebrates before finale.