UCS bands strike a chord for the new year

UCS is striking up the bands for a successful start to the 2015-2016 season.

The district’s award-winning band students are committing more than 200 hours this summer at home and away camps to prepare for their new season

“It’s fun,” said Samantha Tosa, Stevenson’s sectional leader of clarinets. “You are not only working with all of your friends, but being in Marching Band gives you important skills, like discipline.”

The public can see all four bands perform their half-time shows at this year’s Bandarama, scheduled for October 4 at Runkel Field at Stevenson High School.

Bandarama tickets are available at the gate and are $5 for adults and free for children junior high school age and younger.

All proceeds benefit the Louis Gonda Memorial Musical Scholarship, which annually awards more than $5,000 for UCS students to attend music camps or take private lessons.

Since its inception in 1973, Band-A-Rama has raised more than $200,000 for UCS students.