Viewfinder: 'Soundscapes' Bids Farewell to 2011 School Year

Art Ebert lost himself in the music as the West Bloomfield band program performed Ticheli's "Vesuvius" on Wednesday night. As the last piece of the 2011 finale concert, titled "Soundscapes," and Ebert's last in a 10-year career as band director, he said he was able to enjoy the moment.

"I wasn't thinking about anything else, just how awesome they played it," said Ebert, who will move on to a position as assistant principal of for the 2011-12 school year. "I'm so proud of all of these kids, especially the seniors, who I've watched play through eighth grade. They've really done well tonight."

The performances by the jazz orchestra, wind ensemble and symphony band at the WBHS auditorium also marked the final performance for seniors, including Eric Ferguson, Jennifer Clawson, and Zach Cantor, who were given awards voted on by their peers for overall excellence, enthusiasm and jazz skills, respectively.

"It's just an honor," said Ferguson, a clarinet player who has played with the concert band program  for four years in addition to playing in the Winter Drumline program and will head to the University of Michigan in the fall. "Basically, all of my memories from high school have come from right here in the band program, so to go out the way we did, playing really well, it's just a great way to go out."

Former band director and current assistant principal of WBHS, Blake Prewitt, was invited on the stage by incoming band director Jeremy Figlewicz to conduct Latham's "Proud Heritage" in a guest role. Prewitt will be leaving the district at the end of the year to pursue a career as a principal of Saint Joseph Academy in Cleveland, said he will miss the band program especially.

"I've been with most of these students for seven-eight years, so it's bound to be a little emotional, but it's all about them," Prewitt said. "It's always nice to be in front of students again and this program is in very good hands. They're going to go far."