Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Lapeer East, Lapeer West bands get high marks at Band, Jazz Festivals

Lapeer East and Lapeer West Jazz Bands participated in the recent District III Jazz Festival at Montrose High School, both schools bringing home first division ratings, the highest possible marks.

It was the first time that Lapeer Jazz Bands have participated in a judged event.

“Worth noting is that one of our major soloists, to be featured on an entire chart, was out sick,” said West Band Director Daniel Hundt. “Aidan Smith stepped up and became the unsung hero of the performance, filling in for the ill soloist at the last minute.”

The Lapeer East and Lapeer West Concert and Symphony Bands also performed at recent State Festivals.

Lapeer East’s Concert Band received a mixture of first and second division ratings and the East Symphony Band received straight first division ratings, the highest possible, at the May 2nd event at Warren Woods High School.

“One judge gave the Symphony Band ‘A+’s on his sheet,” said East Band Director Lyniece Fenner.

Lapeer West’s Concert and Symphony bands took first division ratings at their State Festival performance May 1st at Holly High School.

“One judge wrote, ‘even though I’ve been doing this since 9 a.m. your performance inspired me, I think that speaks,’” Hundt said.

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