Our Benton Bands have so much to celebrate! This past Thursday, over 300 Benton Band students performed in our “Festival of Bands” concert. This whirlwind concert featured all of our Benton Band students, opening with our 5th grade beginners – who are a mere six months into their band journey – and closing with our High School Band – some of whom have played in our bands for eight fabulous years. Each of the eight ensembles performed two selections, showcasing their musical accuracy, ensemble excellence, and musical expression. Through their music, you could hear the hard work and dedication it took to prepare for their performance in the short six weeks since Winter Break. I hope our audience could also hear the enthusiasm our students have for music-making and, perhaps, the friendships and memories that make band a fun and meaningful experience for our wonderful young people.
I would like to take this opportunity to also lift up and celebrate our Benton colleagues, families, and community. Our band students have such amazing support! We are so grateful to our school staff members for their help and flexibility. Thank you to the families and community for encouraging and supporting the students on their musical journey. We hope to see many of you on March 3, for the vocal department’s “Fill-the-Gym” featuring Benton’s Show Choirs (including Norway’s Xhilaration Show Choir). Looking forward, we invite you to save the date for our upcoming band performances. The High School Concert Band will perform their Large Group Concert on April 29. Norway’s “Choose Your Adventure” concert will be May 11, Jazz Band will perform at Spring Java on May 13, and the Middle School Band will perform on May 19. We hope you can join us at one or all of those concerts to celebrate our wonderful Benton Band students.