Ben's Spring Band Concert

What do I love listening to?  What do I always look forward to?  I feel like I am being redundant, but it is true.  I love listening to them play and look forward to their concerts.  Ben's spring concert was no exception.  As Ben progresses through school, the music just gets better and better.  Now that he is finishing his first year of high school and the concert was to be combined with the 11th and 12th grade band, I knew the concert was going to be amazing.  I was not disappointed!

These two pieces are Ben's band which is just 9th and 10th grade.

"Abracadabra"

"Tournament"

 Ben was awarded a "Director's Award" for being an outstanding student that "goes above and beyond".  I am so proud of him!  (He has received an award in band every year so far!)

We have a place in our town called "Jared's Frozen Custard".  The Jared's are well known in the community and everyone loves their custard!  Mr. Jared was a band teacher and an administrator here for many years and was well loved in his job.  Last November, Mr. Jared passed away rather unexpectedly.  For this year's spring concert, Mr. Claussen, the high school band director, had a piece of music written to honor Mr. Jared.  That piece would be premiered at the concert performed by the entire 9th-12 grade band.

"The Eternal Optimist"

 

 Ms. Benford is and has been an amazing teacher/director this year!

Ben is going to miss Michael SO much!  Michael has been such a great friend to Ben this year!  Unfortunately, he is a senior and will be headed off to college in the fall.  I am so thankful that Ben found such a great friend this year!  Even if it was only for one year, I know that they have what it to takes to keep their friendship going once Michael goes to school.

Another band year has come and gone.  It was a great year for Ben!  He is already looking forward to marching band camp starting at the end of July!

Abby's Spring Band Concert

One of my favorite things is listening to my kids play their instruments.  I always look forward to their band concerts throughout the year.  The spring concert is always great!

I can't tell you how many times Abby has gotten a new piece of music, brought it home to practice and proceeded to tell me that her band teacher must be crazy if he thinks she will ever be able to play it!  But, it never fails, she gets it.  Not only does she get it, but she does an excellent job!  

Earlier this year, Abby moved up to first chair, beating out a girl that Abby says is "so good".  It was a huge day for Abby!  One of these days she will realize that she really is good and that all of her hard work and practice are paying off!

Abby was one of about six students to receive one of the band awards given out.  She received it last year, as well.  I am so proud of her for going above and beyond in her band!

 "Quiet Rain"

"Sugar Creek Overture"

The next two pieces are the combined 7th and 8th grade bands.

 

"March Concord"

"The Fortune Tellers Daughter"

This is one of the pieces that Abby didn't think she would ever be able to play!  It had notes all over the place!  It is now one of her favorite pieces!

We owe so much of Abby's success to this awesome lady!  Ms. Benford is not only one of Abby's band teachers, but she is also Abby's private teacher and just an all-around awesome lady!  We love her and appreciate her so much!

This has been a big year for Abby.  She earned first chair in her band.  She auditioned for All-District Honor Band and made first alternate.  She participated in Solo & Ensemble and earned two 2's ("Excellent" ratings)  She has continued to work hard, practice often and not give up!  I couldn't be more proud of her and her accomplishments this year!

All-City Christmas Concert

The All-City Christmas concert is one of my favorite concerts of the year!  I love that all of the schools come together in one place and perform by grade level and then all together.  I look forward to this concert every year.  This year, it was nice to have both Ben and Abby performing at the same concert.

 Don't they look great!  They actually look like they might kind of like each other...

7th grade bands from both Madison and Central.

High school bands from the Mid-High and High School.
These kids were so happy to get to play together again for the first time since marching season.

I could listen to these groups perform all night!  I am such a proud momma!

Unfortunately, the video of all of the students playing together has some issues.  I can't even describe how cool it was to listen to ALL of the kids play together!  I get chills every time!

There's Music In The Air

It's no secret that I am thrilled to have two resident musicians!  I love listening to them practice at home and hearing them talk about how  much they love band.  I loved band.  I really wish I had been more serious about it and stuck with it once out of high school.  Unfortunately, I didn't do that, so now I get to enjoy it through my own kiddos.  (No, I am not trying to live through them, just enjoying every moment!)

I was really looking forward to Ben and Abby's spring band concert this year.  This was Abby's first band concert, so it was exciting to hear the whole band finally come together.  In 6th grade, the students only have the option of starting out on the flute, clarinet, trumpet or trombone.  After learning the basics, the students are given the opportunity to switch to something new.  This is when the saxophone, baritone, tuba, oboe, bassoon, etc. are added to the band.  Finally, about a week before the spring concert, all of the sections (who have worked separately) come together and prepare for the concert.  It's pretty amazing!  It's hard to believe that the sounds that come from such a new group sound so good!
 

Barn Dance Saturday Night

Abby received an Outstanding Achievement Award for her first year of band.
I wasn't really sure how Abby would do in band, but she has completely exceeded my expectations!  I am so proud of her!  I know she is going to continue to be a great clarinet player!

The Shadow Warriors

On to Ben's group...

Monterey March

The 8th graders played this for their district contest and received all superior ratings!
(They earned something else, which had not been done in eight years, but I can't remember what it was.  I just know that their band teacher was very pleased.)

The students that participated in All-District Honor Band and Solo & Ensemble were recognized.  Ben was recognized for both.  (:

I was stunned when I heard Ben's name called for the Evald Nordstrom Memorial Award!  I didn't have a chance to take a picture of Ben receiving his award due to my shock and wiping the tears off of my face.  This is an award that is given to one 8th grade student each year for showing outstanding leadership.  The award comes with a $100 savings bond and student's name engraved on a plaque that remains in the band room.  What an honor!  I couldn't be more proud of Ben!!

Canal Street Clambake
Ben got to be one of the five in the jazz ensemble that got to stand and be featured in this fun, jazzy piece. He was pretty proud of it and so was I!

For the last two pieces at the concert, the 7th and 8th grade bands joined together.  The two bands traveled to Kansas City to play at a contest.  Not only did they get superior ratings, but they ended up with the highest score in their division!  It was a proud day for the students and the band teachers!

As The Dawn Breaks

Bayview March

Ben and Abby with their band teacher, Ms. Benford.
We all love her!

It has been our tradition to go get ice cream after each of the kids band concerts.  This was our last one of the year.

Ben invited a couple of his buddies to join us for ice cream after the concert.  I love that Ben has some good friends!  These boys are great!  (And they like Luke too, which is a plus!)

I am so proud of Ben and Abby and the progress they have made this year.  I am cautiously optimistic that both kids will continue to practice once school is out. I have already talked to Ben's trombone instructor and Abby's band teacher about doing lessons over the summer.  (And yes, Ben and Abby are both ok with that.)

Next step for Ben:  Marching band!  He is SO excited!
To say that I am excited would be a complete understatement!

All-City Christmas Band Concert

The all-city Christmas concert is quite possibly my favorite concert of the year! All of the bands from 7th through 12th grade perform and then at the end all of the bands line the perimeter of the auditorium and play together! I love it!

Of course, I thought Ben's band sounded amazing!


French Bell Carol


The Grinch Medley


All of the bands wishing us a Merry Christmas together!

Abby's First Band Concert

Abby has loved every minute of her first year of band so far. She couldn't wait until her first concert. I know I say this about every concert, but I just can't get over how much these kids learn in such to in such a short amount of time! I think at the time of this concert, the kids had been playing for about eight weeks.

This particular band concert in called a demonstration concert. The band directors along with the students show us the things they do in class to warm and breathing exercises.

Miss Benford featured the clarinets. (The metronome sounds off, but I think the clarinet section sounds great!)

The whole band playing "El Toro".

The whole band playing "Jingle Bells".

See, impressive! I am thrilled to be a band mom and that my kids are thoroughly enjoying band! I do believe the Lord has blessed me with some talented kiddos!

Ben's Band Concert

In preparation for band contest, Ben's band performed their music for the parents. I always love hearing Ben's band and how they have progressed. Considering how many kids were missing at the concert, I was totally impressed!

Korean Folk Rhapsody

Valley Vista March

All-City Christmas Band Concert

Ben was very excited about his first band concert of the year! I was too! The neat thing was that all of the schools combined for this concert. Both 7th grade bands, both 8th grade bands and then both the mid-high and the high school.

I am pretty impressed with how well the 7th graders sounded! I can't believe they have only been playing for a year! Take a listen...


African Bell Carol


Minka's Sleigh Ride


This all of the bands, 7th grade through 12th grade all playing together! The sound was amazing!! I am so proud of Ben and the progress he has made in the last year!