Fairfield Middle School participates in Centerville Honor Band

On Saturday, April 12, twelve students from the Fairfield Middle School fifth grade band participated in the Centerville Honor Band.

The students were Nancy Le, Linh Truong, Mason Van Blair, Eli Carlson, Tristen Talbot, Kingston St. John, Bella Dang, Adalyn Porter, Felix Hennesy, Lucy Bowers, Ellie Freeman, and Elaina Miller.

Their program for the day was “Heroes and Glory” by James Swearingin; “March Grandioso” arranged by Robert W. Smith; and “Battle of the Androids” by Rob Romeyn. The guest conductor for the fifth grade band was Kim Benson from Oskaloosa. The student’s band director is Norman D. Brooks.

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Eli Carlson - trumpet

“On Friday night I kept praying that I would do good at the performance, but I was skeptical and that I’d ruin the whole thing. Fortunately, my idea of things changed when I entered the auditorium. We first went to sectionals where I met the other trumpets, and it sounded GREAT. I slowly gained my confidence with each rehearsal, and when the concert came, I felt on top of the world. I would like to thank the conductors for getting so far in one day, and the people I met that made the experience more enjoyable, and Mr. Brooks for making the experience possible. I enjoyed the honor band, and I hope to do it again.”

Adalyn Porter - clarinet

“My experience in honor band was very fun. I got an opportunity to meet other band kids from different schools. I had a fun time performing with a new group of people, though spending all day playing my instrument was tiring. It was fun, the band director was very nice and I had a great time at honor band. The song ‘Battle of the Androids’ was a fun song to play. Overall I loved being in honor band.”

Lucy Bowers - alto saxophone

“I didn’t know 100% if I was going to get into honor band. I barely knew what honor band was. But getting to have an unforgettable concert with my friends/bandmates, was truly unforgettable.

I love the songs we did, especially ‘Battle of the Androise’. Mr. Brooks made sure we were as prepared as we could be. Even if we only played three out of five songs. The food they gave us was so good! It was Casey’s chocolate chip cookies and pizza: pepperoni, cheese, sausage. They had it all. Our director was Mrs. Benson. She was very polite and knew how to control the band. I play saxophone. So she was even willing to help when I needed a new reed. She was one of the best directors I’ve ever had (besides Mr. Brooks). I had a really, REALLY great time at honor band, and I’re sure all my other band mates would say the same. I hope to remember every little bit of this performance when I grow up.”

Elaina Miller - flute

“My honor band experience was so fun. I enjoyed it a lot. First we got to drive up in a school van and we sang songs the whole way up. When we got there we practiced with our sections (I play flute). Then we met our guest conductor and practiced. Lunch was so good. We had pizza and a big chocolate chip cookie. Then we practiced for a long time. After that we got changed for the concert, and it was so fun! I loved this honor band experience.”

Mason Van Blair - trombone

“My experience was amazing. The food was great. I did meet new people.”

Kingston St. John - alto saxophone

I am going to tell you about my experience. I thought it was fun. I got to explore a building that I’ve never seen. And I got to play saxophone. We played good music. I also met some friends and had fun. The concert started and it was super fun. I loved my experience and would do it again.”

Felix Hennesey - percussion

“My experience from honor band was pretty cool. It consisted of meeting new people, learning songs, and learning to play new instruments. There was this one girl who I referred to as the god of bells, because she played bells a lot. I met this kid named Carson and he was cool.”

Tristen Talbot - trombone

“I had an awesome time at the honor band. I would like to thank Mr. Brooks and the school district for helping us and giving us extra practice so we felt like the best there. The food was five stars. We had Casey’s Pizza and a big, I mean massive cookie. When it came time for performance we thought it sounded so good.”

Nancy Le - flute

“Honor band was so fun! Though we had to practice a lot, it was awesome. When we performed, it sounded amazing. Than you Mr. Brooks for nominating me into honor band. Surprisingly the Casey’s cookies were amazing. Overall honor band is so fun, I would like to do this again.”

Ellie Freeman - trombone

“My first honor band experience was awesome. I got to meet so many new people. A huge thanks to Mr. Brooks for taking us in the morning and all your help with practicing for honor band. All in all I would for sure go back. Food was awesome also.”

Linh Truong - clarinet

“This honor band experience was great. Mr. Brooks chose me to be in honor band. We got to play more advanced which sounds great. I learned how to play my clarinet better so it sounds good. The food was very very good. The cookies were the best. All the music we played sounded great. My experience at Centerville Honor Band was awesome.”

Bella Dang - trumpet

“It was a fun experience I liked. It was kinda scary but fun. I liked it. It was a good opportunity to play in honor band and I enjoyed it was a fun thing and I liked the food. It was good and I like being with my friends. And being with a new group than normal and doing different music.”