The Blossom Festival is a success for the Symphonic Band

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Kristen Miller

The band room is filled with past awards won at festivals and contests.

Kristen Miller, Ranger Review News Editor

The Lewis-Palmer Symphonic Band went to the Blossom Festival in Cañon City, Colorado on Friday, May 3.

The students went to their first periods before they were supposed to report to the bus that would take them to the Festival. The ride to Cañon City was uneventful, with the students stopping for a quick lunch in downtown Colorado Springs.

Shortly after arriving at Cañon City High School, the musicians placed their instruments in the gym. Their first stop was to listen to the Air Academy High School Orchestra, comprised of all string instruments and a grand piano.

After the listening session was done, it was time to perform. The band students gathered up their instruments and went into the practice room, where they had a half-hour to prepare for their performance.

The last time the Symphonic Band had been on stage for a festival, they had received a II,II,II, with an overall score being a II. The scores are based on a variety of things, such as tone, balance, air, and a multitude of other things. The scores are a I being the highest score a band can receive, to a V being the lowest score.

There are three judges for each of the bands. These judges are usually from all over the country, and aren’t usually known to the band in any way. It is extremely rare to have the same judge critic a band more than once.

The tension was high as the band walked onto the stage. Where the auditorium had been full for the Air Academy High School Orchestra, there were only six people in the seats for the Symphonic Band from Lewis-Palmer. Though the audience was significantly smaller, the Symphonic Band still played their best.

After they finished playing, the band packed up and departed on the bus. They came back to LP victorious, scoring a I-, I, I, with an overall score of a I.

The students played extremely well, and finished the contest and festival year out strong. The last band concert of the year is Tuesday, May 14, where all the LP bands will play and finish the year.