The Cambridge and Isanti 8th grade band and choir members met at CIHS on Friday, January 26th, for a music festival to prepare them for high school band and choir. The first three hours of the day were designated for band, and the last three for choir, with the fourth hour put aside for lunch. The
“I really liked it when we were all synchronized; the music sounded beautiful!” Eighth Grade Participant
symphonic band heard the members say they might share a band someday while also getting quality time using the shell and playing in front of an audience. And the 8th graders got better prepared for 9th grade. At 9:25, The symphonic band welcomed IMS and CMS band members. Then, the IMS and CMS bands took turns warming up and playing a few songs for the other middle school and Symphonic band. They then worked with Mr. Kennedy to fine-tune the pieces. After that, they came together and played Jungle Dance, a song all the bands had been working on individually. Afterward, the symphonic band played a few songs for the 8th graders. After they were finished, the 8th graders, who were only involved in band, went back to school, and the students involved in band and choir went to eat lunch.
After lunch, the choir students who were already there got ready, and the rest arrived. The next portion of the festival featured various choirs, including IMS, CMS, Unaccompanied Minors, Concert Choir, and ninth-grade choirs. This part of the day benefitted the choirs just as it was for the bands. We got to hear next year’s freshman and all the other fantastic singing groups our school has, and everyone got quality time practicing in the shell. The day’s choir portion started with all the choirs warming up together. After they were done, They saw unaccompanied minors, CIHS’s own A Cappella group that meets before school. After that, the IMS and CMS choirs had their time to shine. They took turns performing and working with Mr. Knudsfig. Then, both the ninth-grade choirs sang. The ninth-grade choirs meet on separate days, so this event was their first time singing one of their songs together. They all sang a song as one massive choir with all six groups.
Overall, the festival was very productive. The 8th graders left feeling more ready for high school, and the high schoolers left with a whole day of practicing and listening to music under their belts. They heard bands and choirs that they’d never heard before, and the 8th graders got to experience what music life would be like in high school versus middle school. Here’s what some students had to say;
“I like how they can make you feel a bunch of different emotions in such a short time.” Participant
“It’s safe to say that we will be looking forward to next year’s 8th-grade music festival.”
