Cavelero Mid-High School hosted the annual All-District Band Concert on April 22 with over 500 students from all four schools performing in nine different bands. The concert is a public way of showcasing the growth that band students go through within the music program.
“I really like how you get to see the younger kids play, and they get to see us, it really helps inspire them,” LSHS junior clarinetist Rylee Beckham said.
Beginning bands from Lake Stevens Middle School and North Lake Middle School performed first, then circled back around with their intermediate bands. The LSMS bands are directed by Taryn Zickefoose, and the NLMS bands are directed by Melissa Gamage. The Lake Stevens Middle School Intermediate band featured soloist Jena Duncan.
Following the sixth and seventh graders, Cavelero’s Brian Koreski directed his Concert and Wind Ensemble (audition-only), celebrating his final year as a band director.
As an ode to Koreski’s daily attire, students sported Hawaiian-themed shirts to celebrate Koreski’s career. Koreski has taught band for forty-two years.
Lake Stevens High School’s Concert band, Wind Ensemble (audition-only), and Jazz Band (audition-only) were the final bands to perform.
The LSHS Concert Band performed “Pilatus” by Steven Reineke with solos performed by Callie Maze, Allison Moore, End Daniek, Tage Peterson and Abram Dennis.
Director Neil Proff shared with the audience that his Wind Ensemble performed the most difficult piece he has ever directed, “Blue Shades” by Frank Ticheli, with soloists Isabela Trabanino, Owen Stults, Kate Fetters-Walp, Dalton Ray, Evan Smith, Maimuna Sylla, and Cameron Gardner.
Neil Proff also showcased his zero-period jazz band, which performed a soul-filled “The Happy Go Lucky Local” by Duke Ellington. Almost every student had the opportunity to perform a solo, including Adam Ryan on Piano (pictured), Ryley Cooper on Bass, Phineas Ruji on Clarinet (pictured), Greyson Stainbrook on Tenor Sax (pictured), Jacob Beckham on Trumpet (pictured), and Aiden Kimball on Drums.
Finally, all of the bands came together to perform the classic “Celebration” by Larry Clark.
For these musicians, the concert is a way to look back on where they were and look ahead to what’s next.
“It’s really cool to see how they progress, so middle school where they start to high school where they end,” sophomore flautist Natalie Stowell said, “It’s a really big level of progression”.
The difficulty of music also shifts as students hone their skills on their respective instruments.
“The music in the middle schools is less complex. versus as you get higher into the high school and the Wind Ensemble — everyone has independent parts, they’re all playing their own thing, there are more harmonies, just more things going on in general,” senior percussionist Cai Burin said.
With the increased skill levels, musicians are expected to learn and master the music faster. At the high school level, bands take a month or two to prepare for this concert and what they’re going to play, but at the middle school level, bands have been rehearsing their songs throughout the year.
“The song [Wind Ensemble is] gonna play, we’ve been rehearsing for probably two months,” Stowell said.
The goal is to showcase the Lake Stevens School District’s band programs and show the younger kids what will happen if they continue with music throughout middle and high school.
“Just don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone here is a band kid. Just…play out and don’t be afraid to make mistakes because everyone does,” Beckham said.
The All-District Band Concert showcased a unique perspective of growing up with music. Being in the band not only teaches participants music theory and the workings of an instrument, but it also teaches teamwork, patience, accountability and responsibility. For those with a passion for music, they will become part of an incredible and welcoming community and be a part of something great and sacred to our Lake Stevens community.
“Stick with it,” Burin said.
