The Sky View bands have come a long way since their first concert last November. It was a good concert for the first trimester. They played a lot of fun songs and had fun themselves. Yet it lacked the cohesiveness of truly great bands. What a difference six months make. Tuesday night the Sky View Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band and Percussion Ensembles delivered superior performances across the board. Rich sound, excellent intonation, tight rhythms, smooth phrasing. No wonder they did so well at state band festivals this year.

Jazz band

The Sky View Jazz Band got all superior ratings at the regional festival. “Then they went to the state jazz band festival which in itself is an accomplishment,” said Director Randall Beach. “At the State Jazz Band Festival they were one of only about a dozen high school bands in the state to receive all superior ratings at the state festival”

And that isn’t all. “In jazz music people play improvised solos, make up solos on the spot following chord changes and so forth,” Beach continued. “It’s kind of tough and takes a lot of practice and skill. Two of our students received outstanding merit awards for their solos — Eliza Done and Brandon Pedersen.”

The Jazz Band started the concert with the swing tune Orange Sherbert by Sammy Nestico with solos by Eliza Done on the flute and Wyatt Clegg on the piano. Next was the ballad Summer Never Ends by Bill Liston featuring Brandon Pedersen on trombone. Beach characterized Summer Never Ends as a fun tune for the band because although it’s a ballad it had a funky groove backing it. Then Nardis, a Miles Davis song arranged by Paul Murtha Boogie, with a solo by Alex Batty on alto sax. And their last song was the crowd favorite — Woogie Bugle Boy arranged by Steven Bulla with solos by Rachel Johnson on baritone sax and Matt Orme on trumpet.

Percussion Ensembles

Sky View has 24 students in percussion ensembles. Beach said they performed at the Utah Day of Percussion, played three different ensemble pieces and represented Sky View very well. Because most percussion ensembles pieces use a half dozen to a dozen players, they had to break up the performance into different groups of students. The started off tonight playing First Adventure by German Baratto. Then Centrifugal by Chris Crockarell with four mallet instruments and Randall Beach on a snare drum. And last was Memphis Stomp, a David Steinquest arrangement of Dave Grusin’s groovy jazz piano classic.

Concert band

Sky View is one of the rare schools that have two, complete bands — the Concert Band made up of mostly sophomores and the Symphonic Band. The Concert Band performed at the region band festival and qualified to attend the state festival. Sky View and Mountain Crest were the only schools from our region to send two bands to state. There the Concert Band performed alongside the best schools in the state. “They got very good ratings,” said Beach. “I’m very proud of what they’ve accomplished this year. They are a tremendous group of young people. Our bands next year are going to be really great because of these students.” The Concert Band performed three songs: Espana Cani by Pascual Marquina (arranged by John Moss), When the Stars Began to Fall by Fred J. Allen and Cajun Folk Songs by Frank Tichelli.

Symphonic Band

The Sky View Symphonic Band got all superior ratings at the regional band festival and also qualified for the state festival. “At the state festival the tolerance level is very, very high,” said Beach. “For example, a lot of bands go to region festivals and get ‘superiors’ and qualify to go to the state. Only a few of all those bands get superiors at the state festival. The standard judging level goes way up. They are very picky and they scrutinize everything you do.”

The Sky View Symphonic Band got one superior — a score of ‘1’ - and two one-minuses. It can be compared to a report card of getting one ‘A’ and two ’A’.

“To get ones and one minuses,” added Beach “We are very pleased. They did a great job.”

The Symphonic Band performed three songs: Boys of Wexford by Robert Dwyer Joyce (Arrainged by Sammy Nestico), Shenandoah by Frank Tichelli, and Incantation and Dance by Johns Barnes Chance.

Marching Band

Tuesday night was the last performance for the concert bands at Sky View High School. But it isn’t the end of performances for many band members. On Saturday the Sky View Marching Band will be in the Richmond Black and White Days Parade. Then starting June 1 next year’s marching band will begin practices. They are scheduled to perform in the Lewiston Parade on July 5 and the Hyde Park Parade on July 17. The Marching Band will begin their field performances later in September.

∗ Principle Chair