The band held its annual Senior Farewell concert on May 10.

The concert opened with a trumpet trio consisting of Conrad Bucholtz (11), Colin Chapman (12), and Daniel Cormack (12). Next the Symphonic Band Jazz Band performed three pieces. After them, a trombone trio with RJ Martin (12), Lily Wozniak (10), and Alex Sullivan (10) played the piece they took to solo and ensemble. Following that, the Wind Symphony Jazz Band performed. Finally, the concert ended with both bands, Wind Symphony and Symphonic band, performing three songs together that they had been preparing.

Throughout the concert, band directors Mr. Vance Brakefield and Mr. Theron Perkowski called seniors up to the front of the gym. They gave the students plaques commemorating their years in band and handed out a few awards to select seniors including: Evan Morris (12), who won the Louis Armstrong Jazz award, Emma O’Donnel (12), who won the John Phillip Sousa award, Lauren Roberts (12), who won the performing arts award for band, and Drake Follmer (12), who won the Director’s award. Caitlin Stanford (12) was announced as the recipient of the Nottleman Music Scholarship. She will be a music education major at Missouri State University in the fall.

“I was very surprised and excited at the same time,” said Morris. He was in jazz band for three years and has had several solos.

Two days after the concert, on May 12, the band had its end of the year picnic to celebrate what the students have done. There were awards given out to band members of all grades for their various accomplishments.

“My first year in band was amazing,” Adam Zapf (9) said. “At first, with marching band, I didn’t really seem to like it because it was hot; I wanted to quit. Then I started to make these memories with everyone and make all these friends. I decided I want to do band all through high school and in college.”