Local bands play together at All District Band Concert

By Audrey Kim
Staff Writer

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District bands played in the All District Band Festival on Feb. 12 in the Costa Auditorium. This is the second year the All District Band Concert has been held. This concert is an opportunity for bands of different levels within the community to interact with one another.

“Every group performed amazingly,” spectator Christine Itano­Cosner said. “To see where the kids start and where they finish, is truly an amazing process and has a lot to do with the dedication of the kids and parents and band directors.”

All of the fifth graders and Honor Band performed. The fifth graders played “Eagle Summit March” by John O’Reilly and Mark Williams. The elementary Honor Band played “Galactic Episode,” also by John O’Reilly and Mark Williams.

“I think each group did very well and really showcased its strengths,” MBMS’s band director Denise Haslop said. “It’s nice to see where all the musicians start and their progression.”

All three bands from Manhattan Beach Middle School also performed. Cadet Band played “Sabre Dance” by Aram Khatchaturian, Concert Band played “Arabian Dances” by Roland Barrett, and Symphonic Band played “Fanfare and Ceremony” by John Cacavas.

“I think it was great and awesome as usual,” MBMS’s assistant director Mark Haslop said. “It was very wonderful to see all the kids put together a great performance.”

From Mira Costa High School, Concert Band performed “Slavonic Dance” by Elliot Del Borgo, Symphonic Band played the fourth dance of “Puszta” by Jan Van der Roost, and Wind Ensemble played “Folk Dances” by Dmitri Shostakovich.

“I thought our one piece was exceptional and our saxophones were especially good,” sophomore bassoonist Adrian Yu said. “Our band kept up well and we ended up achieving excellence.”

All of the bands, 5th through 12th graders, together performed “Valiance” by Robert W. Smith. This piece was also performed last year by all of the bands.

“I think the entire district performed well,” freshman flautist Cole Lewis said. “It is a pretty rare occasion that all the bands in the district come together and play together like this, especially on one combined piece.”