The high school concert band, jazz band and junior high concert band will showcase their music pieces at the Friends of the Band concert in Ground Zero at 7 p.m., April 3. The groups will play their selections from the recent band festivals, band director Jimmy Loomis said.
High school concert band members will perform “All Glory Told,” featuring trumpet solos by sophomore Josh Smith and freshman Sean Carter; “Cajun Folk Songs” with solos by sophomore Jacob Balderas on alto saxophone and senior Chelsea Joy on clarinet; and “Cantus Jubilante,” featuring a flute solo by junior Daniel Hopper.
“The bands will play their festival music,” Loomis said. “This will be an opportunity for everyone to come hear our music which won the high school concert band a superior rating at a festival in Reedley, March 13.”
The jazz band also prepared three songs to present at the concert: “Line Drive” with soloists freshman Dana King on alto saxophone and senior Trevor Bodi on guitar; “Nostalgia in Times Square” featuring freshman Paul Ocheltree on trumpet and King again on alto saxophone; and “Inside Out” with Bodi soloing on guitar.
The junior high concert band will perform “Eagle Ridge,” “Aeolian Winds” and “Canticum.”
After competing in San Diego for a Heritage Festival, freshman Heena Kim said she looks forward to performing without judges.
“I like our music since it’s easy,” Kim said. “I like the huge sound we make; it sounds good. I don’t like playing for too many people, because I get nervous. It will be easier to perform with no judges.”
Through the course of their festivals and competitions, the band groups have received feedback from judges and learned how to improve the sound and techniques used every day. Experience from these events refined both individual and ensemble skills, Loomis said.
“Everyone has taken ownership on their pieces,” Loomis said. “They learned to focus on tone quality, confidence and playing out as an ensemble.”
Freshman Zed Fries said he appreciates the advice the judges gave at the recent Heritage Festival.
“The instructors told us to play out and not be so timid,” Fries said. “Also, we were taught to play together as a band and not just do what the music says to do; it takes more quality than that. If everyone does their part in improving, the concert will be good!”
The price of admission for the concert is $5. Desserts will be sold during the intermission of the concert, including pie for $2 per slice.
For more information on band, visit the March 18 article, Jazz band tests musical commitment or e-mail Jimmy Loomis.
