Success has been an avid part of the band this year, and only more great things are expected to come.
Some of the events that are coming up include All-District Band in the beginning of February, and the Concert Band Performance Assessment in the second week of March. The Symphonic Band was chosen as one of the three clinic bands to participate in the National Band Association Symposium and the National Symphonic Band Camp at Lake Braddock Secondary School on Feb. 17th and 18th.
“We always strive for high standards here with the bands,” Band Director Andrew Loft said. “It’s always exciting, but involves many challenges.”
The Marching Band season has recently wrapped up, and the Winter Pops Concert took place on Dec. 6th in the cafeteria. The programs were printed on paper bags and filled with popcorn. The bands played an array of holiday music, including performances by the Percussion Ensemble, the Concert Band and the Symphonic Band.
“I think we were amazing, and the popcorn in the program bag was cute,” sophomore Marissa Reynolds said.
“It was fun,” freshman Robyn Strong said. “I thought the idea of the event was funny.”
The band has won many honors, such as being a 14-time Virginia Honor Band. This year, the Marching band has also won first place in Outstanding Music, General Effect, Marching, Drum Major, and others. In the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) State Marching Assessment, the Marching band has been awarded a rating of Superior, the highest possible rating. The VBODA is an organization that helps to promote music education opportunities.
“Our goals are always to make great music and learn from each other,” Loft said. “Awards are really a nice by-product of this process.”
The band program includes many different sections, such as the Marching Atoms, the Percussion Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble, the Gold and Red bands and the Symphonic Band. Also included is Color Guard, which performs with the Marching Atoms and Indoor Winter Guard.
This year, the band is planning a spring trip to Atlanta, Georgia, where they will be in the Southern Star Music Festival. It is a musical competition for school bands and choirs, held yearly in Georgia. On the trip, the students will visit The Georgia Aquarium, The World of Coca Cola, and Six Flags Over Georgia.
“The band event I am most looking forward to is spring trip,” Strong said. “It’s going to be great.”
The band has had much success so far this year, and is looking forward to accomplishing more in the future.
“Probably what makes us so successful is Mr. Loft, the band director, because he’s really good and he knows what he’s doing,” sophomore James Barker said. “And we have really good musicians.”
“Our students have wonderful talent and a solid work ethic,” Loft said. “We strive to maintain high standards in all aspects of instrumental performance. Members of the bands at Annandale are disciplined and dedicated. This combined with our great parent and administrative support creates a true atmosphere of success.”
