Catholic schools create a big sound at Band Fest

Friday, May. 01, 2009
Catholic schools create a big sound at Band Fest
Intermountain Catholic
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Students from Saint John the Baptist Middle School, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Saint Vincent de Paul Middle School, and J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School form a large ensemble totaling 133 students. They played two songs for each other as well as for Blessed Sacrament's student body and for patents who attended the festival, and then together played ?Strike Force.? The sound was powerful. IC photo by Christine Young

SANDY — Blessed Sacrament Catholic School hosted the Second Annual Band Festival for the Catholic middle school band students in the Salt Lake Valley April 16.

Blessed Sacrament, Saint John the Baptist Middle School, Saint Vincent de Paul Middle School, and J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School participated in the Band Festival. Each school played two songs for each other and then for Blessed Sacrament’s student body and parents from the various schools. Then all 133 students together played "Strike Force" together.

"This is a good opportunity for the four Catholic schools to come together and for the students to mingle with other students of similar interests," said Michael Sausedo, Blessed Sacrament band instructor. "The music programs have anywhere from 20 to 100 students. So a lot of them do not have an opportunity to play in a large ensemble, and this gives them that opportunity."

"The students from the smaller bands also get an opportunity to see instruments they do not see in their bands," said Sausedo. "Some of the unique instruments are the glockenspiel, euphoniums, oboe, and the French horn. Although it is not unique, Saint Vincent School has the keyboard.

"Every program is different," said Sausedo. "Some students meet before school, some meet after school, and some actually have class time dedicated to band. Students who participate in music statistically get higher scores in class in general, especially in math, and it helps them in reading. They seem to be more diligent.

"The students practice at home," said Sausedo. "Every instrument is different. It is not like teaching English where everybody can use the same textbook. How they physically make sounds, and how they change that sound is different for each instrument. The opportunity to take private lessons means there is 30 minutes to an hour of one-on-one time with a specialist on each particular instrument. The kids who do take private lessons excel faster than the ones who do not take private lessons."

The instructors each said they encourage their students to take private lessons.

The sound the ensemble of bands made together was incredible to hear.

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