Granite Hills High School Band delivers
The Granite Hills Grizzly Band’s Spring Concert Friday night at the Frank “Buck” Shaffer Theatre inside the Porterville Memorial Auditorium did not disappoint numerous parents and family members attending the concert that played everything from patriotic and classical, to blues, jazz and rock. The concert also featured the Grizzly Studio Band.
With Marc Salazar as master of ceremonies, the concert opened with the band, directed by Kenny Ormonde, playing the Star Spangled Banner before moving to John Moss’ “Highland Legend,” Beethoven’s “Allegretto,” Ed Huckeby’s “Equinox Overture” and Michael Sweeney’s “Beyond the Seven Hills.”
Featured during the concert was the Grizzly Drumline, which recently captured the PPAACC Championship title, performing “Attack of the Killer Clowns.”
The Grizzly Studio Band was also featured playing Mike Story’s “Basie-Cally The Blues,” with a tenor sax solo by Sarah Vehrs; Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the ‘A’ Train” with a sax solo by Liliana Mejia; and Henry Mancini’s “Pink Panther Remix.”
Recognitions and awards followed, with special acknowledgement offered to: Instructors Natalie Godinez, auxiliary, fall marching season; Tamara Orth, auxiliary/winterguard; Cody Clem and Ryan Garcia, drumline; Band Parents Organization: Patty Jurkovich, Cindy Bartlett, Irene Smith, and Christy Scott, a GHHS teacher and band parent who has gone over and beyond with volunteering; Band Trailer: Tim Rice, Blackburn, Alcantar, Bermudez; Band Parent Volunteers: Manuel and Elena Carillo, Dona Smothermon; Granite Staff: Troy Alvarado and Maggie Salazar; Granite Administration: Principal Jeff Bottoms; Sara Soria and Magdalena Sanchez, vice principals.
Numerous band and auxiliary members were recipients of several awards, including ninth, 10th and 11th grade Outstanding Service awards, Grizzly Studio Band awards, Senior Service and Dedication awards, the 2012 Grizzly Band Spirit Award — which was awarded to Madison Rice.
In addition, the 2012 Top Graduating Senior Award, offered to two students who consistently exemplified character, citizenship, dedication and musical talent, went to Kelsey Blackburn, clarinet section leader and drum major, and Rosendo Vallejo, percussion section leader, malletts.
Following the awards, the concert continued with the concert band playing John Barry’s “Goldfinger.”
Paul and Linda McCartney’s “Live and Let Die,” a number that included a trumpet solo by Jon Sigsby, was followed by Bill Conti’s “For Your Eyes Only” before the band’s auxiliary members marched down the aisles for the band’s grand finale — Harold Bennett’s “Military Escort March.”
GHHS Grizzly Band Awards
Top Graduating Senior Award:
Kelsey Blackburn and Rosendo Vallejo.
Senior Service & Dedication Awards:
Mishelle Salazar, Lupe Delgado, Lilliana Molina, Isabella Gonzalez, Jon Sigsby.
Grizzly Studio Band Award:
Sarah Vehrs and Lily Mejia.
Outstanding Service Awards:
Stephanie Aguilar, Angel Esquivel, Kyle Norman, Sabrina Provencio, Lupe Serrato, Alan Smothermon, Tania Ramirez and Jed Hackett.
Grizzly Band Spirit Award:
Madison Rice
Eleventh Grade Outstanding Service Award:
Eric Garcia and Abraham Leon.
Tenth Grade Outstanding Service Award:
Lorena Alcantar, Cristal Andrade and Elena
