Students in the Music Dept. have been busy in the past few weeks.

On Feb. 2, the seventh and eighth graders joined the Wind and Jazz ensembles in the annual South Area Band Festival.

The Wind Ensemble performed “Robin Hood; Prince of Thieves,” more commonly known as Disney’s background theme, and combined with the eighth graders to play “Villages.” The Jazz Ensemble played “Trofeo de Bolos.”

This year the Horn Choir and Jazz Ensemble were chosen to perform at KMEA on Feb. 24-26. There was a sendoff concert for them on Feb. 16 where they performed all of their music, including, but not limited to, arrangements of “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)” and “Hallelujah,” “New Blues” and “Perdido.”

Orchestra students just presented their winter concert on Feb. 7.

The Freshman Orchestra performed first with “Dublin” and an arrangement of “Hallelujah.” Next the Advanced/Chamber Orchestra played the first movements of “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3” and “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.” Then the Concert Orchestra performed “Eclipse” and the fourth movement of “Symphony No. 37.”

The concert ended with all orchestras combining to play “Yesterday” by the Beatles.

During the concert, techniques that each orchestra has been working on such as intonation, bowing direction and dynamics were displayed through the piece selections.

“[We were] preparing a variety of literature designed to be entertaining, but also teach style,” Greg Ferguson, orchestra director, said.

The Chamber Orchestra will be accompanying the Freshman Orchestra on the annual Freshman Branson Trip. The Chamber Orchestra is also preparing for contest.

Along with band, choir has been preparing for KMEA. At KMEA, both the bands and choir will have three days of workshops and will have the chance to be instructed by a clinician. The last day consists of performances.

“[KMEA provides] opportunities to learn and catch up with colleagues,” Elise Peterson, choir director, said.

Choir students who were selected to be in the District Choir and also made it into All State Choir are Jordan de Leon, Jon Swanson, sophomores; Brittany Taylor, Chase Simmons, juniors; Kaeli Whitener, and Kathryn Sommers, seniors.