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Cooperation and skill were key at Spring Concert

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More than 100 listeners came to hear the eighth annual Area Bands Spring Concert at Edison High School on March 6.

Performing that evening were the combined Eader, Hawes, Moffett and Peterson elementary schools band, beginning and intermediate bands, the Sowers Middle School bands and the Edison High School Woodwind Ensemble.

Robert Covacevich directed the combined elementary school band through “Rockin’ The Blues,” “Manchester March” and “We Will Rock You,” for which the young musicians donned sunglasses and then received a standing ovation from the audience.

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Jack Reed, a fifth-grade trumpet player from the combined elementary school band said the experience was fun and that he “liked listening to the high school band play.” He said he plans to continue to play music in middle school.

The combined band and Sowers beginning and cadet bands skillfully performed the “Eagle March” with direction from Terri Wilson of Sowers Middle School. Wilson then directed the Sowers concert band in “Sousa Spectacular,” “A Day at Disneyland” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll.”

Taylor Gray, a seventh-grader who plays the flute in the Sowers concert band, was participating in her fourth Area Bands Spring Concert. Taylor said it was “delightful to see all the bands. I really like hearing the younger kids play,” presumably including her younger sister Kaitlyn, a trombone player in the Peterson Elementary School band.

Finally, the Edison High School Woodwind Ensemble, directed by the school’s director of instrumental music, Tim Benge, performed the energetic “Kirkpatrick Fanfare” and an impressive “Symphonic Suite” from “Star Trek.” Several Edison High seniors have played in every Area Bands Spring Concert since its inception in 2005.

The audience members paid $2 admission that evening, and all of the collected proceeds were distributed to the elementary and middle school band programs for the purchase of music and to further promote their instrumental music programs. The concert was presented by the Huntington Beach Union High School and the Huntington Beach City School Districts.

SUSAN DAVIS is a member of the Edison High School band boosters. Her daughter is a junior at the school and a member of color guard.

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