Middle school bands take awards

Music from the Farmington Middle School Eighth Grade Band and Jazz Band has filled the hallways at the school all this school year. Now, the bands have been taking their music “on the road” — so to speak — with a busy spring competition and festival season.

On March 1, the band traveled to Union Middle School for the Middle School Music Festival. The eighth grade band, under the direction of Linda Huck, received Superior “I” rating from all three judges, for an overall “I” rating at the event.

Several students also participated in solos and small ensembles at the festival. Those students include Chandler Spradling, Evan Lee, Harley Minks, Blake Pritchett, Heaven Wilson, Connor Purkett, Ashley Gainer, Jaimee Wallace, Dallas Smith, Jacqueline Wolf, Haylie Hagermann, Lauren Francis, Kyle Roberts, Ashley O’Neal, Rachel Schnebelen, Rachel Porter, and Caitlin Smith.

On March 13, several members were selected as members of the MIneral Area Junior High School Honors Band. Those students participated in a clinic led by Ron Sikes, band director at Jefferson R-7 Schools. Students named to the band included Heather Aubuchon, Rikki Augustine, Erin Casey, Tyler Chuchian, Haley Franklin, Andrew Harper, Robneish Jackson, Jake LaHay, Evan Lee, Curt Morrow, Ashley O’Neal, Taylor Politte, Danielle Portell, Connor Purkett, Kyle Roberts, Rachel Schnebelen, Katherine Sitzes, Caitlin Smith, Chandler Spradling, and Josh Weible.

On March 15, the FMS Jazz Band took part in the MAC Jazz Festival. The band placed fifth in the Middle School division. Member Kyle Roberts was recognized with an Outstanding Musician Award.

Future events for the groups include the North County Jazz Festival on April 12, the Music in the Parks Festival at Six Flags on May 3, the Spring Jazz Concert on May 5, and the Spring Band Concert on May 12.