Fine Arts Festival Great Success
by Zac Konrad
May 07, 2007
On May 3rd, 2007, a Thursday night, four Auburn concert bands and a multitude of family and friends crammed in the Auburn High School gym for the annual Fine Arts Festival Instrumental Music Concert and Awards Ceremony. All groups played very well and rounded a year of great growth and improvement.
All groups performed very well. The Fifth Grade Band opened with Soldier Boy and Krazy Klock. Sixth Grade Band followed with Crestwood and Stray Cat Strut. Next was the combined Seventh and Eighth Grade Band performing American Patrol and the Theme from "Mission Impossible".
Following was the awards ceremony where the individual awards were presented, as well as the Ralph Chatelain, David Whitehouse, and John Philip Sousa awards. The Ralph Chatelain award is presented to an outstanding Eighth Grade Band member. This year, the award went to both Ben Billesbach (Trombone) and Matt Knapp (Baritone), two very exceptional and essential students in the ensemble. The David Whitehouse award went to outstanding Jazz Ensemble member, who was Xavier Beger (Percussion), a very talented and irreplaceable member for numerous years in the jazz member. The final award, the John Philip Sousa award, was presented to a member who exhibited outstanding attributes and had made great contributions to the band program. This year, the award went to Jay Ehmke, a very excellent member of the ensemble, and a person with overall great character. I am very proud of these award winners, as well as everyone who was part of these great ensembles.
We ended with the Auburn High School Band who had an astounding and superior performance of English Folk Song Suite and Sun Dance of which I was exceptionally proud.
Congratulations to the Seniors on graduating! I hold all of you in the highest regard and am thankful to have had such talented leaders in my group. I wish you success in your future, and hope to see all of you frequently. You are always welcome!
Thanks, everyone, again for all your hard work! I am looking forward to the growth this program will surely see with such a dedicated group!
Mr. Konrad
