By Cara Martinez
Staff Writer
Mira Costa’s Band program held its annual All District Band Concert on March 9 in the auditorium, followed by the Band and Orchestras’ Evening of Eclectic Ensembles fundraiser on March 10 in the small theatre through which the two groups raised $3,000.
The concert consisted of the elementary schools’ Honor Band, three groups from Manhattan Beach Middle School and five ensembles from Costa: Jazz Band 1, Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony. Each group played one piece individually and, at the end of the concert, all of the groups joined together to play “Valiance,” by Robert W. Smith.
Photos of all district concert:
“‘Valiance’ is my favorite piece of the concert because everyone gets to play the same music, and it’s the only time we get to play together,” senior Adrian Yu said.
The Mira Costa bands have been practicing their pieces for the All District Concert for approximately one-and-a-half months, Band Director Joel Carlson said.
click to see how to donate to the costa band
“It was great to hear how amazing the whole district’s band program was and how it has flourished and grown over the years,” Band President and senior Sean Syed said.
At the March 10 fundraiser, several ensembles played with a broad mix of instruments and singers, junior Emily Angstreich said. Performances took place in the small theatre, and food was available for all audience members in the cafeteria prior to the performances.
click here to go to the costa band website
“The Eclectic Ensembles is an opportunity for students to play chamber-style music in small ensembles by using the skill sets that they developed in the large ensembles,” Carlson said. “They are able to interact with other musicians, and it is awesome to get to see the students utilizing what they have learned from me or any of their other teachers to synthesize a great, creative performance on their own.”
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