THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 24, 1995 TAG: 9503220203
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04L EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARLENE FORD
CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
After a busy weekend of making their own good music, the First Colonial High School Band took a well-deserved break, sat back and listened to someone else's good music.
Band students found the concert by the Virginia Commonwealth University wind quintet to be a reward of sorts for their superior performance in the 1995 District Concert Band Festival held earlier this month at Tallwood High School.
Thirty-five high school and middle school bands from Virginia Beach, Norfolk and the Eastern Shore competed in the festival, sponsored by the Virginia Music Educators Association.
Winning ``Virginia Honor Band'' status, which means achieving a rating of superior in both the marching band and concert band categories, from Virginia Beach were Salem, Princess Anne, Tallwood, Kempsville and First Colonial high schools.
Other local high schools participating and achieving excellent or good ratings were: Ocean Lakes, Bayside and Kellam high schools. Also, Larkspur, Salem, Landstown, Brandon, Bayside, Independence, Plaza, Great Neck, Virginia Beach, Lynnhaven and Kempsville middle schools.
Tallwood High School has two bands, and the concert band received a rating of superior.
As the First Colonial band students were wowed by VCU musicians, director Michael J. King said, ``Winning is a thrill of a lifetime for me.
``Our symphonic band has worked extra hard and extra hours since the holidays, and the award was well deserved,'' he said.
``Now listening to this concert, our students continue to hear just those musical ideas we work on every day.''
This spring all the local Virginia Honor Bands will be recognized with plaques. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by MARLENE FORD
Charles West played clarinet with the Virginia Commonwealth
University wind quintet at First Colonial High.
Director Michael King
Says band deserves the honor.
by CNB