Waukee Middle School Students Selected for SCIBA District Honor Band


Waukee Middle School 7th graders Emily Klaiber (clarinet) and Ben Avilez (bassoon) were selected to participate in the SCIBA (South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association) District Honor Band Festival held on Tuesday, November 1, 2016. The rehearsals and evening concert were held at Ankeny Centennial High School.

Klaiber and Avilez were nominated based on their skills, which met the high standards of SCIBA. These standards included the ability to play technically accurate scales, play in tune, adaptability and learning the music individually. Approximately 150 7th grade students were selected to participate from the entire South Central Iowa District.

Klaiber and Avilez had three weeks to prepare the music on their own time with occasional assistance from Waukee Middle School band instructor Mary Crandell. Rehearsals on the day of the concert were held from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. The concert that evening started at 7:00 p.m., where Klaiber and Avilez played their set for 20 minutes. The ensemble performed the pieces “Avenger March”, by Karl King; “And Then There Were Drums”, by Larry Neeck; and “Let the Spirit Soar”, by James Swearingen.

The concert consisted of three different bands that each played 3-4 selections: the blue band, which included all auditioned 8th grade students, the white band, which included half auditioned 8th grade and half nominated 7th grade students, and the red band, which included all nominated 7th grade students. Klaiber and Avilez performed in the red band and the entire concert lasted for about 90 minutes.

Klaiber and Avilez were thrilled to have the opportunity to play as part of SCIBA Honor Band and they look forward to more chances to present their skills in the future.

WMS Honor Band

Emily Klaiber (left) and Ben Avilez (right)