5th, 6th, & 7th grade bands perform at middle school

Sat, 12/13/2014 - 10:18am — John Embry

7th and 8th grade bands perform with the 5th grade band in the background.

With a jam-packed crowd piled into Butler County Middle School on Friday night, December 12, friends and family were treated to a special holiday performance by the 5th, 6th, and 7th grade bands.

With 110 band students in the fifth grade, 82 in the sixth, and 83 in the seventh, the combined band was 275 strong, which explains why the B.C.M.S. parking lot was full front and back with cars extended all the way to Morgantown Elementary.

"It was a great crowd that was packed in here tonight," said Band Director Jason Ausbrooks, who coordinated the concert. "Everyone was in a good mood and the kids did a great job, especially considering we just put everything together today."

Anticipating a large crowd for this year's concert, Ausbrooks had the 8th grade band perform this year with the high school band instead of with the lower grades. With larger numbers throughout all grade levels for band, Ausbrooks indicated that the arrangement may have to be adjusted again next year in order to accommodate the growing number of band members and the crowd that follows them.

Band Director Jason Ausbrooks talks with parents following the performance.

"I've spoken with Mr. Tuck (B.C.M.S. Principal) and we've discussed combining 5th and 6th grade into one band and 7th and 8th grade into another," said Ausbrooks.

At tonight's concert, each group performed two pieces. The 6th & 7th grade groups performed three together. To finish the evening, all three groups performed two songs - crowd favorites- Jingle Bells and Go Big Blue.