James Monroe Band Musicians Win Awards

James Monroe High School's Band was one of 49 performing groups representing 24 different public schools from as far away as Illinois and New Hampshire that travelled to Busch Gardens for a one-day music festival on April 21.

High School bands performed at different venues throughout Williamsburg in the morning and got to enjoy themselves at Busch Gardens the rest of the day. When the awards ceremony was held at the park, the James Monroe orchestra and band took third place and the percussion took first place. The judges gave excellent ratings to both groups.

Band members were very enthusiastic about the trip and said they enjoyed the competition and the visit to Busch Gardens. They were happy with their placing and felt they had done a good job. 

JM Drum Major and senior Denyam Adera, who plays the trumpet and will be attending the University of Virginia next year, said he enjoyed the rides, particularly Apollo’s Chariot, while at the park.

Nathanial Jenkins, a junior who plays the bass clarinet, said his favorite part of the festival was the awards ceremony in the park because the band and music department got the whole school “pumped." Jenkins has been selected to be the Drum Major for the next year’s marching band.

Senior and tuba player John Thomas, who is the band’s low brass section leader, said that they played three songs for the competition at Bruton High School. After they played they went to the park where his favorite ride was the Griffon roller coaster.  Evan Baker, a sophomore and Alto Saxophone player said he felt good about how well the band played. His favorite thing about the day was “hanging out with friends at the park."  Baker agreed with Thomas that the Griffon was definitely the best ride.

Band Director and James Monroe teacher Chris Mallory was happy with the way the day went.  The kids “worked hard and they played well and we were really proud of them,” said Mallory. 

Orchestra director Jeff Gordon agreed. 

“All three groups performed well and all of their hard work showed,” he said.

The James Monroe Band and Orchestra have its next public performance at the Fredericksburg Citywide Spring Concert at 7 p.m. on May 30. There is a silent auction beforehand at 6 p.m. with the proceeds benefitting the overall band program. The public is welcome. 

Another school event:

The JM Arts department is putting on Shakespeare's "Midsummer Nights Dream" May 3-5 at 7pm at James Monroe High School. The public is welcome and tickets are "pay what you can afford" at the door. They will be doing the entire play, not an abbreviated version.