Schools
WHIZ KIDS: Curtis Junior High Symphonic Band And Concert Band
School is off and running, and that means the band department is back. It's checking out instruments, practicing music, organizing uniforms and elevating its musical talents.
Whiz Kid(s): Curtis Junior High Symphonic Band & Concert Band
Director: Craig Rine, 10 years at CJH, plays professionally on the Clarinet.
Keys To Awesomeness: Curtis Junior High's band program has maintained a long history of excellence and success since the opening of the building in 1957. The Symphonic Band is a try-out advanced level of music performance group. There are 8th and 9th grade students that participate, with over 70 students in this group. They are currently working on a very challenging piece "Jurassic Park" that will be performed at their fall concert. These dedicated students are asked to practice 30 minutes a day outside of classroom time. The hard work shows when they perform as group for parents, family and the community.
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This past Thursday, they were invited to perform at the Puyallup Fair, on the school stage in the performing arts hall. This was extra challenging since they had only been performing as a group for two and half weeks. The Symphonic Band and Concert band gave a wonderful performance and represented CJH and Univeristy Place well at the state fair.
Accomplishments: Participating bands have scored "Superior" ratings in league contests year after year, and the Curtis Junior High Symphonic Band has won accolades from international adjudicators at the Pacific Northwest Music Festival held at the University of Washington in Seattle. Band students also share in the honor of 25 first-place trophies at the Mount Hood Community College Orchestra Festival in Gresham, OR. Community and school district support for music continues to be a key element in the program's success.
Find out what's happening in University Placewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
These groups will continue to improve their musical skills as the year continues. They are looking forward to performing again at CJH Band Concert in October.
Whiz Kids runs on the Patch twice a month. You can nominate a group, team, individual students, youth, contact Marion Lybbert at mmlybbert@aol.com. Show off excellent commitment, service, hard work, skills, awards, or achievement of someone in our community.