Band festival 'fantastic'

Story and photos by Dean Knuth

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Band students from Esperero Canyon Middle School joined kids from three other schools at a festival last week where they were critiqued by band experts.

The Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association hosted the event March 6 at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive.

UA doctoral student Patrick Murphy was one of the three experts. He critiqued the Esperero band.

"Their director chose music that is artistic and just right for their age level," Murphy said.

The festival was "fantastic," he said: "It's great to have so many kids in music."

Band director Roger Valencia said the event gives the band a chance to bond.

"It's nice to have some time when we can associate just as a band," Valencia said.

That was just one of the payoffs.

"The educational benefit is to have a chance to hear some comments from people with a lot of experience," he said. "It gives us things to work on and remember for the rest of the year."

● Contact photographer Dean Knuth at 573-4155 or dknuth@azstarnet.com.

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