Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

GHS Jazz Band Performs At Event

Music filled the air in the Gurdon High School cafetorium Thursday, May 8.

The GHS jazz band performed several numbers for the capacity crowd gathered for the annual GHS Band Banquet. The band also unveiled two original works. These were entitled "Fast Break," and "Slow Break."

The audience was treated to decorations of ficus trees filled with white Christmas lights, purple, white and gold balloons adorned the tables, which had single yellow roses on them as well.

While parents, fans and music lovers went through the buffet style serving line, they were entertained by a wide range of music, including older rock and roll.

Once the jazz band concluded its performance, it was time to honor band students for their accomplishments during the academic year with the Student Choice Awards for members of the sixth grade band, GMS and GHS bands.

These awards included such honors as: Most likely to be late, most likely to be prepared, most likely to become a band director, outstanding woodwind, outstanding brass, outstanding percussion, most likely to become a professional musician, most talented, best attitude, most helpful and hardest working.

Melanie Wilson, who played the mallet percussion and keyboards with the band for three years, took home a $1,000 renewable scholarship from Henderson State University.

She will be playing for HSU's "Showband of the South" in the pit percussion this fall during marching season.

While at GHS, Wilson placed in all-region bands and played with the Four States Honor Band earlier this year.