Band Wrap Up for the Spring

Admittedly, this is a post primarily for grandparents and Aunt Kathy the music teacher. I don’t expect anyone else to care much about the adventure of band life for Jr. High kids. However, if you like Jr. High band concerts and contests, you may read on…

We had the end of year concerts for Burnett Jr. High in the Wylie East auditorium. It was a fun night of music. Plus, Grandma & Grandpa Denton (my parents) were in Texas for those concerts. The presence of a grandparent makes it a bigger deal than if it’s just mom and did sitting in the audience listening. It was a fun evening. Afterwards, I snapped a picture of the two kids and friend, Ellie J.

JJ, Ellie & Amelia after the Burnett bands concert May 19, 2011.

The first band of the night was JJ’s, made up primarily of 7th graders and directed by Mr. Denis. I got one song recorded, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”  JJ plays percussion, so he’s out of sight from our seats.

I got several videos of Amelia’s band playing. One of their songs was “Cahokia”. Amelia is first chair flute. You see her at the front in the flute section to left of director.

Here’s them playing one of their songs from this year’s UIL contest, the “Honor Roll March.”

The band playing “Stonehenge.”

And they jumped back to an 80′s classic to do “Final Countdown.” It even included an invitation to sing along from the director, Mr. Burks. By the way, here’s a little tip to my band (and choir) director friends – As cool as it is to hear your kids play (or sing) a song from your own teen years, it’s also high on the cheesy factor. Nothing like hearing your kids turn a rock song into elevator music to remind you how old you’ve gotten. Here’s the song…

Another week later was the UIL solo contest competition. It ended up being a little crazy with UIL band competitions and auditions for the Wylie East Band; then solo contest the next week. It left a lot of rehearsing for that last week before the solo competition on the next Friday night. So, I’m even more impressed with their performances. Their pieces are combined in this video. JJ played “Equity” on several percussion instruments. Amelia played “Gavotte.”

Now we’re into summer lessons and high school marching band camps. No more concerts until next fall. Until then, here are a few of the pictures from the events featured above.

JJ back in the percussion section as they await the start of the concert.

Amelia sitting first chair flute in her band before their portion of the concert began.

Our two future Wylie East Raider girls in front of the WEHS crest after their final Burnett concert.

Earlier in the day Ellie had gotten her bottom braces on. The girls realized they'd both picked the same colors - blue on top, pink on bottom.

Amelia, Grandpa Denton, JJ & Grandma Denton after the concert at Wylie East on May 19, 2011.

Post-concert trip to Yogurt Cup in Wylie. The advantage of living in Texas is getting to sit outside eating frozen yogurt at 9:00 pm in May.

JJ setting up for his solo at UIL solo contest. More cow bell!

JJ at contest. A GQ guy!

Amelia and her accompanist for solo contest. She always introduces her dad as "my accompanist is Mr. Denton."

Posted: June 7, 2011 
Filed under: Amelia, Denton Family, Eating, Food, Grandparents, Jeff, JJ, Texas, Video
Tagged: Amelia, band, braces, concert, contest, Ellie, Family, instruments, Jeff, JJ, Music, Pictures, solo, Video
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