Nazareth Bands Excel at State of the Art Catholic Band Competition

Nazareth Academy congratulates the sixty band students who competed at the State of the Art Catholic Band Competition on February 16th. The Wind Ensemble won Second Place and Best Woodwinds in AA division, as well as the Leo J. Henning Award for the most improved band. The Concert Band finished in Third Place.

Band students spent six weeks preparing their music. Each band performed a march and a programmatic band piece from the standard band repertoire. Concert Band performed “Queen City March” arranged by Laurie Lafferty and “Novena” by James Swearingen. The Wind Ensemble performed “Arsenal” by Jan Van Der Roost and “An American Elegy” by Frank Ticheli. They competed with twenty other bands from area Catholic high schools.

“This recognition gives students affirmation of their hard work and diligent practice. Students can view this event as a quantitative accomplishment rather than just qualitative success at concerts. I am so proud of their efforts and I look forward to continued success for years to come!” says Andrew Boland, Director of Bands and Choirs.

Both bands will be performing these pieces at the upcoming Spring Band Concert on March 14, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nazareth Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.