Thursday, March 28, 2024

DMS Bands Keep the Beat

Young musicians at Dawson Middle School have a lot to celebrate this spring. In recent weeks, students in the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band received top honors from judges in all their competitions. These winning scores mark the first time that both bands earned straight ones in all their competitions.

“Mr. Guerrero and I are both so very proud of these amazing young musicians!” said Band Director David Stone. “They have worked countless hours and truly represented Dawson Middle School. Special thanks go to Becky Bailey who also works with both of these bands on a daily basis!”

On Tuesday, April 3, both the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band traveled to the Eisemann Center in Richardson to compete at the Peak Music Festival. This was the first time the competition doubled as a pre-UIL warm up for students. Both bands earned straight ones from all three judges and received positive as well as constructive comments. The Symphonic Band had two superior musicianship awards given to the Flute and French Horn sections. The Wind Ensemble received superior musicianship awards to Tiger Yang (Tuba), Carleigh Grupe (Piccolo), Mia Bergeron (Flute), Matt Landers (Clarinet), Natale Ton-nu (Piano) and the Trombone Section.

On Friday, April 13, the Symphonic Band performed at the MCL Grand Theater in Lewisville for the Region 24 Concert and Sightreading Competition. The band played “Courage”, by Harold Bennett, “Fantasy on an Irish Air”, by Richard Saucedo and “Colliding Visions”, by Brian Balmages.  All three judges gave the band superior ratings and outstanding comments.  After their stage performance, students quickly went to the Black Box theatre to prepare for sightreading.  In the sightreading room, the students are given a new piece of music and, under the direction of Mr. Guerrero, they must perform the piece. This part of the competition is timed and Guerrero only has 7 minutes to review the music before time is called and the students must perform. A new panel of judges reviewing the sightreading performances gave straight ones to the DMS Symphonic Band.

The Wind Ensemble also went to the MCL Grand Theater and competed at the Region 24 Concert and Sightreading Competition. This competition was held on Wednesday, April 18. The band performed “A Walk in the Morning Sun”, by Pierre La Plante, “Kindred Spirits”, by Brian Balmages and “Lassus Trombone”, by Henry Fillmore. Like the Symphonic Band, all three judges awarded straight ones and commented on how mature and musical the students performed. The sightreading portion of the contest followed. Due to the Wind Ensemble playing a Level 3 sightreading piece (Symphonic Band plays a Level 1), the students received an extra minute of time to prepare. Again, the band received straight ones from all judges.

Visit the DMS website to learn more about the campus and upcoming events, including Band Tryouts on May 5, the DMS Percussion Bash scheduled for May 9 and the Band Spring Concert on May 15.

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