The end of the school year meant competitions and concerts for the music programs at La Grande Middle School and La Grande High School. Alex Justice, Band Director for both schools, said students in the program have had a successful year.
“The school year has gone by really fast, and our bands have had a productive year,” Justice said. Since COVID, when participation in band was low, the number of students in the high school bands are finally increasing. Justice said when he started teaching at LGSD five years ago, there were about 35 students in the bands, but next year there will be close to 80 participating.
LMS has beginning band for 6th Grade, intermediate band for 7th Grade and advanced band for 8th Grade, with a total of about 120 students in the band program. The middle school bands performed two concerts this year.
The high school has three bands: Symphonic Band which is mostly freshmen, a Jazz Ensemble and the Wind Ensemble, which is the audition-only group.
This year, the high school bands performed two concerts plus their jazz night. In March, the Wind Ensemble participated in the state band festival for 4A and qualified for state. In late April, the group went on their annual band tour in the Salem area. Justice said this is an opportunity to work with other band directors and get feedback on performing.
In May, the Wind Ensemble traveled to OSU in Corvallis to compete at State. They played three pieces. “The kids played really well and had a good experience, and we came back happy,” Justice said.
The band did very well on the sight-reading portion of the state competition, earning the third highest score in that category. Justice said they had been working hard to get better at that, so they were all pleased with the outcome.
Although they didn’t win any awards at State, Justice said he doesn’t worry about the rankings but focuses on it being a positive experience for students. “I always tell the kids the trophies and awards come when you love what you’re doing, and the priority is to create your music.”
