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Archive for the ‘School Concerts’ Category

School concerts in which at least one of my students performed.

First Time For Elementary School Bands on the Big NPAC Stage at Last Concert of This School Year

Posted by glennled on June 20, 2014

Shawn McGinn, Director of Instrumental Music, Skyview Jr. High School, Bothell, WA

For the first time, on 28 May, the first- and second-year elementary bands of Skyview Jr. High School got to perform a concert on the big stage at Northshore Performance Art Center (NPAC) on the Bothell High School campus. Mr. Shawn McGinn is Director of Instrumental Music at Skyview.

The concert began with the first-year band playing a piece in four movements: “Alpha Overture,” “Rock-It,” “Yuki,” and “The Bingo Polka,” arranged by Jack Bullock. They concluded with “Apollo Fanfare” by Robert W. Smith.

Next came the second-year band playing three pieces: “Mystic Dance” by Michael Sweeney; “Let It Go,” by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, arranged by Jems Kazik; and “William Tell Overture,” by Giocchino Rossini, arranged by Andrew Balent.

The first-year band is comprised mostly of fifth graders from Crystal Springs, Fernwood, and Canyon Creek Elementary Schools. The second-year band members are mostly sixth graders from the same schools. There are 20 trumpeters in the first-year band and four in the second-year band.

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

: 1st-Year Elementary Band, Skyview JHS, at NPAC, Bothell

: 2nd-Year Elementary Band, Skyview JHS, at NPAC, Bothell

Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: band, Bothell, Let It Go, Northshore Performing Arts Center, NPAC, Shawn McGinn, Skyview Jr. High School, trumpeters, William Tell Overture | Leave a Comment »

Four-Band Concert, “Skyview Spring with Tunes and Swing,” in Bothell

Posted by glennled on June 3, 2014

On 1 April, four bands from Skyview Jr. High School in Bothell gathered before a gym-full of parents, relatives, and friends to present their “Skyview Spring with Tunes and Swing” concert in the SJHS gymnasium.

Glenn Ledbetter prepares to conduct Skyview Jr. High School’s second-year band, 1 April 2014

On Fridays, I rehearse the second-year band, and Mr. Shawn McGinn, Director of Instrumental Music, graciously let me conduct one piece (“Front and Center”) that night. It was the first time I ever conducted a band in public–what fun! The feeling was kind of like playing with a wind-up toy–first you practice, practice, practice to acquire the skill, and then on concert night, you just let it go and it does its own thing, automatically, perfectly! I was so proud of the kids.

The first-year elementary band (mostly 5th graders) played “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Eye of the Tiger.” The second-year elementary band (mostly 6th graders) played “Front and Center,” “Clarinet Boogie,” and “I’m a Believer.” Then came the 7th-grade band from SJHS, playing “The Tempest,” “A Song for Friends,” and “Furioso.” And finally, the Skyview Jazz Band played “Dorian Journey,” “Moanin’,” “Work Song,” and “Mr. PC.”

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

: Shawn McGinn conducts SJHS Elementary 1st-year Band

: Shawn McGinn conducts SJHS Elementary 2nd-year Band

: Skyview Jazz Band, 4-1-2014

Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: band, Bothell, jazz, music, Shawn McGinn, Skyview Jr. High School, solo, trio, trumpet, trumpeter | Leave a Comment »

“Sounds of Winter”—Inglemoor High School Music Concert in Kenmore

Posted by glennled on May 31, 2014

On 19 December 2013, the music program presented its “Sounds of Winter” concert in the Inglemoor High School Gymnasium. The Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir, Belle Voci, Chamber Choir, Mass Choir, and Wind Ensemble all performed for the large crowd. There are 8 trumpeters in the Wind Ensemble and 7 in the Symphonic Band. The Wind Ensemble is directed by Ted Christensen, who also is the Northshore School District Music Coordinator. Jim Rice directs the Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. At this concert several pieces were conducted by Megan Webster, Student Intern, Central Washington University.

The 45-member Symphonic Band performed “On This Day Earth Shall Ring,” “Wishing You a Merry Christmas,” and “The Bells of Christmas.” The Wind Ensemble (66 members) performed “Stars,” “Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head,” and “Christmas Festival.” The Orchestra performed “Dances from the Nutcracker.” The music program enjoys the support of the Inglemoor High School Music Boosters.

Posted in Inglemoor High School, School Concerts | Tagged: band, ensemble, Inglemoor High School, music, Music Boosters, Northshore School District, orchestra, symphonic, wind | Leave a Comment »

Elementary Bands Concert at Skyview Jr. High in Bothell

Posted by glennled on May 30, 2014

On 6 December 2013, two elementary school bands performed their Winter Concert for parents, relatives and friends at Skyview Jr. High School in Bothell. The first-year (5th grade) band and the second-year (6th grade) band are quite a contrast in size but not in quality–both are developing very well at their respective levels. Shawn McGinn, Director of Instrumental Music, was on materity leave at the time, so Sarah Lawson, his substitute, conducted the concert.

Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: band, Bothell, concert, elementary, Shawn McGinn, Skyview Jr. High | 2 Comments »

Photo Gallery of “Night at the Movies 2013” Concert at Skyview Jr. High in Bothell

Posted by glennled on August 23, 2013

“Sold Out!”–Band and orchestra students at Skyview Jr. High School in Bothell attracted a full house to a special concert on 13 June–movie night! As scenes from various movies flashed across the screen, the bands and orchestra played medleys from the music scores. Here’s a gallery of photos. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

: Lights out–it’s Showtime!

: Jazz Band I played as the audience and the musicians found their seats prior to the concert

: Lead trumpeter

: Tenor Sax soloist

: Guitar soloist

: Piano soloist

Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: band, jazz, medleys, movie, music, orchestra, scores, Skyview Jr. High, trumpet | 2 Comments »

2013 Spring Band Concert, Hamilton International Middle School in Seattle

Posted by glennled on August 21, 2013

Trumpet Soloist, Symphonic Band, HIMS

Dan Rowe, Music Director of Concert and Jazz Bands at Hamilton International Middle School (HIMS) in the Wallingford district of north Seattle, ended the school music year on 6 June with an expert Spring Band Concert at Lincoln High School Auditorium. He conducted four bands comprised of almost 300 students in total: the Beginning (58 members), Cadet (87), Concert (72), and Symphonic (75) bands.

Two trumpet players were among those singled out in each band for special awards. The Outstanding Musician Award for the Cadet Band went to trumpeter, Carter Eng. The Most Improved Musician Award for the Concert Band went to trumpeter, Juliana Silldorff.

The music program at HIMS is supported by Friends of Music at Hamilton International (FOMAHI). Please see www.fomahi.org. FOMAHI was headed in 2012-2013 by Alicia Edgar, President. For my article and photos about last winter’s band concert, please see my blog post of 24 December 2012.

Below is a gallery of photos from the concert. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

: Beginning Band, HIMS

: HIMS Beginning Band

: Trumpeters, Beginning Band, HIMS

: Cadet Band, HIMS

: Trumpet Section (14), Cadet Band

: Dan Rowe presents Outstanding Musician Award, Cadet Band, to Carter Eng, trumpeter

: Concert Band, HIMS

: HIMS Concert Band

: Trumpet Section (9), Concert Band

: Piano soloist, Concert Band, “”The Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre

: Symphonic Band, HIMS

: Trumpet Section (10), Symphonic Band, HIMS

: Trumpet Duet

: Balloon Soloists, Symphonic Band, HIMS, “Rondo” by W.A. Mozart/Arranged by Larry Clark

: Clarinet Section, Symphonic Band, HIMS, “Pie In the Face Polka” by Henry Mancini/Arranged by Johnnie Vinson

Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: band, concert, Dan Rowe, FOMAHI, Friends of Music at Hamilton International, Hamilton International Middle School, HIMS, musician, symphonic, trumpet, trumpeter | Leave a Comment »

“Final Concert” of 2012-13 Bands and Choirs at Juanita High School

Posted by glennled on June 4, 2013

Concert Band, Juanita High School

Two of my trumpet students—one current, one past—played in the “Final Concert” of the school year at Juanita High School in Kirkland on 29 May—so I simply had to go! And, as always, I’m very glad I did. One student is in the Concert Band (for freshmen), and the other is in the Symphonic Band (for sophomores). Both bands, plus the Wind Symphony (for juniors and seniors) and the Jazz Band, are under the very capable direction of Mariko Lane. Also on the program were the Concert Choir (all girls) and the Concert Choir (co-ed), directed by Lehua Pischke.

The Jazz Band opened the concert with “Big Swing Face,” followed by “Little Brown Jug” and “The Elks Parade.” The next band was the 46-member Concert Band, playing a “Symphonic Suite from the ‘Lord of the Rings’.” After that, the Symphonic Band (42 members) played a medley from “The Phantom of the Opera.” And finally, the Wind Symphony (40 members) played a “Star Wars Medley.”

Symphonic Band, Juanita High School

The music was challenging for the musicians and entertaining for the audience. It was evident that Ms. Lane is well-loved by her musicians, who follow her direction with precision. The balance of the instrumental sections was very impressive—for example, she kept the power of the brass in check, and the blending of the instruments was very pleasant. Also, she chose arrangements that featured solos by several of her best musicians.

The Jazz Choir sang a “Swing Around Suite” which included “A Tisket, A Tasket,” “God Bless the Child,” and “How High the Moon.” The Concert Choir sang “The Lion King: The Broadway Medley,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

: Jazz Band

: Mariko Lane listens to Jazz Band

: Trumpet Section, Jazz Band

: Trumpet Solo

: Hats – “Little Brown Jug”

: Trumpet Solo

: Jazz Choir, Lehua Pischke, Conductor

: Jazz Choir with Lehua Pischke on piano

: Mariko Lane introduces the Concert Band

: The Four Trumpeters, Concert Band

: Sarah D., trumpeter

: Symphonic Band

: Symphonic Band

: 5 of 7 trumpeters, Symphonic Band

: 2 of 7 trumpeters, Symphonic Band

: Trumpet solo

: Aaron G. (center), trumpeter

: Aaron G. (right), trumpeter

: Concert Choir, Lehua Pischke at piano

: Seniors’ Farewell

: Wind Symphony

: Wind Symphony

: Wind Symphony

: Trumpet Section, Wind Symphony

: Tuba, Wind Symphony

Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: Juanita High School, Kirkland, Lehua Pischke, Little Brown Jug, Lord of the Rings, Mariko Lane, Star Wars Medley, The Phantom of the Opera, trumpet, trumpeters | Leave a Comment »

Photo Gallery of “Northshore Jazz Night” at Inglemoor High School

Posted by glennled on May 31, 2013

It started in 1984, when Eric Lucas was a senior in high school—a concert called “Northshore Jazz Night” that features the high school jazz bands within the Northshore School District. Mr. Lucas is now Director of Instrumental Music and Performing Arts Department Chair at Woodinville High School. “So often,” he said, “when we play at jazz competitions and individual school concerts, we never get the chance to hear each other play. This is a fun event, usually about the first week of May, just for the entertainment of ourselves, parents, relatives, and friends.”

And on 30 April at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, we heard five bands from Woodinville, Bothell, and Inglemoor high schools. I got photos of almost every band, but my camera’s battery died just before the Inglemoor Jazz Ensemble took the stage. The lead trumpeter in the Woodinville Jazz Ensemble is my former student. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

: Woodinville Jazz II

: Six trumpeters, Woodinville Jazz II

: First trumpet soloist, Woodinville Jazz II

: Next trumpet soloist, Woodinville Jazz II

: Trombone soloist, Woodinville Jazz II

: Inglemoor Jazz II

: Saxophone section, Inglemoor Jazz II

: Trumpet soloist, Inglemoor Jazz II

: Trumpeters, Inglemoor Jazz II

: Saxophone soloist, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble

: Trumpet section, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble

: Vocalist, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble

: Eric Lucas, Director of Instrumental Music, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble

: Lead trumpeter, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble

: Trumpeter friends, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble

: Trumpet soloist, Bothell Jazz Ensemble

Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: band, Bothell, ensemble, high school, Inglemoor, jazz, Kenmore, Northshore School District, trumpeter, Woodinville | Leave a Comment »

Exceptional “Winter All Bands Concert” by Hamilton International Middle School in Seattle

Posted by glennled on December 24, 2012

Symphonic Band, Hamilton International Middle School, Seattle

“The music program at Hamilton is thriving,” said Daniel Rowe, Music Director of Bands, “and we’re making beautiful music!” The standing-room only audience responded in loud applause as the Symphonic Band from Hamilton International Middle School (HIMS) prepared to play the concluding, ever-popular piece, “Sleigh Ride,” by Leroy Anderson. The two-hour Winter All Bands Concert was held on 13 December in Lincoln High School Auditorium in Wallingford in Seattle.

The Finale: Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride"

Concert Finale: Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride”

The total membership of the four bands at Hamilton is 295 student musicians: the Beginning Band has 58 members, Cadet (86), Concert (75) and Symphonic (76). That’s almost one-third of the entire student body of about 1,000. The growth that’s underway is exceptional. Mr. Rowe recalled that the Concert Band had 31 members only three years ago. Some 600 students are involved in the bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and choir. The music program is supported by the non-profit organization, The Friends of Music at Hamilton International (FOMAHI)—see www.fomahi.org, which coordinated arrangements for this concert. This year, Hamilton musicians will perform in almost 40 concerts. Before Mr. Rowe came to Hamilton, he taught in the highly successful music program at Eckstein Middle School (see my post of 14 December 2011).

Six trumpeters in the Cadet Band, HIMS

I went to hear one of my trumpet students, a 6th grader, perform in the Cadet Band. On top of that, I got an unexpected surprise—my very first cornet student also performed in the Symphonic Band (see my post of 14 August 2009). He’s now an 7th grader, and he switched to tuba last year. Both these students had made the Seattle Public Schools’ All-City Honors Elementary Band (see my posts of 10 April 2011 and 2 April 2012). It was a thrill to me to see and hear them both perform on the same stage on the same night! Both come from great families, and it was fun to see the relatives there, too.

Each band had its highlights, and I’ll mention only a few. The Cadet Band featured its 15 trumpeters in “Trumpets of Symphony Hall” by Don Brubaker. Among the four pieces played by the Concert Band, “The Hunger Games,” arranged by Jay Bocook, was very impressive. The clarinet soloist, Sadie Morriss, accompanied by the Symphonic Band, drew a standing ovation for her performance of “Viktor’s Tale” by John Williams. And the Symphonic Band demonstrated its high skill level by performing the superb “My Neighbor Totoro” by Joe Hisaishi, arranged by Yo Goto.

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.