Bi-County Honors Band and Choir take over Fox Theatre

SPOKANE – Talented student musicians from Eastern Washington performed in front of a packed house in Spokane's Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox. Bi-county Honors Band and Choir featured the best high school and middle school musicians from Liberty, Almira-Coulee-Hartline, Reardan, Davenport, Wilbur, Creston, Odessa, Sprague, Lamont, Harrington, Lind, and Ritzville.

Senior musicians had to audition for their spots while juniors were selected by their respective musical directors. The all-star group was split into three performances; the high school honor choir, the junior high honor band, and the high school honor band.

Each group featured a guest conductor. The high school honor choir was conducted by Michael Dzbenski, the high school honor band was conducted by Billy Ray Jr., and the junior high honor band was conducted by Matthew Brown. Each conductor accepted an award from their students for their respective work and contributions to musical curriculum in Washington.

The junior high honor band performed Espana Cani by Michael Story, Mechanical Monsters by Randall Standridge and the Star Wars theme music by arr. Carl Strommen.

The high school honor choir performed Boatmen Stomp by arr. Hayes and Crocker, The Mermaid's Lament by Martin/Parker, Till the Stars Fall from the Sky by S. Albrecht and J. Althouse, and Tongo by Greg Gilpin.

The high school honor band performed Spania by David Shaffer, Pirates of the Caribbean by arr. Michael Sweeney, and Majestia by James Swearingen.