Our family went up Saturday night to watch the performances and I finally figured out what it was. So kids from the Western Slope submitted an audio of them playing something (I think it was a specific piece). Then some sort of panel of judges picked the best kids from each instruments and they made up the Honors band. The kids were divided into four groups: two middle school honor jazz bands, one intermediate honors HS band, and one advanced honors HS band. Then four "guest" directors were asked to work with a group on Friday and Saturday.
The kids had been practicing their music for the past month or so, and then they all got together these two days to fine-tune it all and play/perform together. They practiced all afternoon and evening on Friday. On Saturday they again practiced all day long, except for meal-breaks and a 2-hour or so mall-break. (We don't have a mall in Montrose and so that was pretty exciting for all the kids, including Jonas.)
Then on Saturday evening the four bands performed their pieces. It was really cool - in the jazz-music sense. :) It's not my thing, but it was pretty great (just a little long - 7-9pm, plus we had over an hour drive-home and so it was a long night)!
Jonas had a great time. Enjoyed playing in the band. Told us about the drunk man they saw in the hotel hallway. Watched some cops busting drug-dealers on a National Geographic show in their hotel room. Checked out some cool stores at the mall. Ate good pizza from Diorio's. Went to Golden Corral for dinner. Probably stayed up too late. Etc.
It was a great opportunity for him and we were proud of him making it in to the honors band! Jonas is already hoping to make it again next year. :)
We didn't really get any great pictures. We did take a video - Jonas had a solo part in it. It's around the 1:30 mark. I didn't know if it was really good or not - but Ben assured me that Jonas did great and played loudly and with confidence. Good! Jonas said he was so nervous about the solo and was totally shaking and never wants to do another solo again! Ha. :)
One of the songs Jonas' band played, including Jonas' solo:
The high school bands were so good and very, very impressive!
We made our trip to Junction even more worthwhile by stopping at Cafe Rio for dinner beforehand.
Jonas had a fantastic weekend trip and we had a great Saturday evening!
2 comments:
How fun for Jonas to get to go to the "big city!" hahaha. Sounds like everyone had a good time!
Also, listening to this is terrifying me for the elementary school band concert I have to go to tonight. Actually, it's getting better. Okay, much better. But still. Elementary kids. :)
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