On March 13 the WHS Wind Ensemble started their 12-hour drive to Indianapolis, IN to perform in the Music For All National Concert Band Festival. This group performed among other talented groups from all over the country, including Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

The process started last spring when the 2017-2018 Wind Ensemble sent in recordings to be considered for participation in the event;  they heard the news of their acceptance in July. Since then, the 46 students who comprised this group worked incredibly hard until the day they left. The band program has sponsored guest clinicians to come in and critique the music, students had to come in at night to rehearse and, in order to hold students accountable, the directors had the musicians record themselves playing all of their music individually.

Their musical selections were “Fairest of the Fair” by John Philip Sousa, “Symphony on Themes of John Philip Sousa: After Fairest of the Fair” by Ira Hearshen, “Serenity” by Ola Gjeilo and “Black Tie Blue Bop” by J. Scott McKenzie.

Since the group arrived back in N.J. on March 17, they’ve had a lot of time to reflect individually. In this podcast, Mary-Joy Sidhom takes the time to talk about her personal experience, laughing at funny memories and discussing inspirational moments.