Middle school bands shine in Fowler

Burton Middle School returned Saturday from the Fowler Middle School Band Festival with a slew of awards, including a first place for band in Division 2.

Other awards for the Burton Band included a second place for the band’s ID Unit, large schools; third place for drum major, large schools; third place, solo majorette, open competition; fourth place, percussion; and fifth place for Flags, large schools.

“I am so proud of my students. We placed in every category in which we entered, and that is an accomplishment in and of itself,” said Donna Steigleder, band director and auxiliary advisor. “I got many compliments from people working and attending the event, saying how great the band looked and how well they behaved. One spectator told me that she got chills when our band performed, and her child isn’t even in our band. These kids give me 100% effort every day.”

The confidence was also felt by the students.

“At the competition I felt confident because we played really well,” said Arisa Martinez, member of the flag team. “When I found out we won first place for our division, I was very happy and proud that all of our hard work paid off.”

With Vanessa Agcaoili as drum major and Taylor Chavez as solo majorette leading the band, the band’s hard work, with help from percussion advisor Richard Raya, showed in the performance, Steigleder said.

“It is amazing to see how hard these kids work and to see how much they improve everyday,” said band parent Sarah Weaver. “As a parent, I could not be prouder of them and the job they’ve done.”

Also participating at the Festival were bands from Rockford School, Sequoia Middle School, Bartlett Middle School and Pioneer Middle School — all of them returning with awards in their division, including:

° Rockford — Division 4 — third place band, fifth place drum major for small schools; fifth place flags for small schools; second place majorette team, open competition; fifth place percussion, open competition.

° Sequoia Middle School — Division 4 — first place majorette team, open competition; fourth place Flags for small schools.

° Bartlett Middle School — Division 3 — second place drum major for small schools.

° Pioneer Middle School — Division 3 — third place drum major for small schools; third place Flags for small schools; fifth place ID Unit for small schools