Something special happened in Bothell last night—315 young musicians filled the floor of the spacious gymnasium at Northshore Junior High School and gave the adoring audience some thrilling sounds! It was the annual Honors Concert of the 22 elementary schools within

Honors Band (foreground), Orchestra (center), and Choir (background); Mr. Shawn McGinn (lower left)

the Northshore School District. Equally packed were the stands, overflowing into standing-room-only spaces for the many relatives and friends in attendance. And outside in the rain, their cars crammed into every feasible space in the school lots and out along the streets of the surrounding neighborhood for blocks. This was a big deal!

I attended because I teach some of the kids in the 105-member Honors Band. I am an Instructional Assistant to Mr. Shawn McGinn, band director at Skyview Junior High (see my blog post, “Glenn Now Teaches Brass…,” 6 September 2010). On Mondays, I teach the trumpeters and trombonists of the 2nd-year elementary band, and on Fridays, I conduct that entire band.

From Mr. McGinn’s band program, 15 students were selected for Honors Band. Of these, there were three flutists, four clarinetists, one bass clarinetist, one percussionist, two trombonists, and four trumpeters. They come from either Canyon Creek, Crystal Springs, or Fernwood elementary schools. I’m so proud of them all.

Honors Band, Janie McDavid conducting

Janie McDavid conducted the Honors Band. She currently teaches elementary instrumental music at Kenmore Junior High and Meridian Park and Echo Lake elementary schools. She led the band in three selections which ended the concert: “American Spirit March,” “The Tempest,” and “Eye of the Tiger.” Outstanding!