BSU honors band students

Five Mountain Home High School band students participated in the annual Boise State University Honor Band this past weekend, Feb. 9.

Students included were: Heidi Peck -- Flute, Natasha Arel and Terah Bargman - Clarinet, Teo Gillette -- Baritone Sax, and Zachary Wegrzyniak -- Bassoon.

The honor band consists of about 160 of the best band students from around the Treasure Valley.

Each year the Boise State University music department, under the direction of Marcellus Brown, hosts this band. Also, the music department invites well-known university band directors from around the nation as guest conductors. This year the band was conducted by Dr. Bruce Moss, Director of Bands and professor of music education at Bowling Green University.

Natasha Arel, clarinet, said it was nice to play in a group of top band students from around the Treasure Valley.

The honor band only practiced together three times over the past two weeks; Friday evening, Feb. 1, Friday evening, Feb. 8, and all day Saturday, Feb. 9. The concert was held that Saturday evening in the BSU Morrison Center.

Heidi Peck, flute, also recently performed in a band accompanying the showing of silent films at the Egyptian Theater in Boise.

The Mountain Home High School band students have been busy this year, performing in many different settings.

In the fall they performed at five football games, three marching band competitions, and three parades.

The jazz band rated well at this year's District III jazz band festival in December.

The Pep Band has played at many boy's and girl's basketball games.

The concert and jazz bands are now preparing for springtime festivals, along with other spring events.

This year the Jazz Band is looking forward to combining efforts in a concert with Andy Nevala, a former MHHS student and well known jazz pianist in April, here in Mountain Home.

"Even though these students are involved in many music activities throughout the year, they are also busy with other activities," noted band director Jerry Tippets. "These music students, combined with the choir students, generally are among the top academic performers in the public schools. Many of them have excelled in other areas such as drama, debate and speech, business, cheerleading, community, and church activities."