Music to your … mouth

Sixth-graders in beginning band play the alto saxophone at the Pork and Bands concert. Pictured are Centertown student Lee Roberts, left, and WCMS student Kloe Reynolds.

Taking advantage of the atmosphere provided by the West Lawn of Security Federal, performances began last Saturday afternoon and went into the evening.

The year-end concerts are a chance to showcase how much the young musicians have learned and improved throughout the school year. Talking about the progress of the Warren County High School band brought a smile to the face of band director Duane Farnham, who said the band is his pride and joy.

Farnham is excited to report the high school band will once again be performing during a major college football bowl game next school year.

?We?ve been invited and we?ve accepted an invitation to play in the Cotton Bowl,? said Farnham, who said WCHS bands have previously played at the Tangerine Bowl and Citrus Bowl under the direction of Mike Chilcutt. ?This will rekindle that tradition and show people on the national level what we?re all about.?

Local students interested in band can begin as early as sixth grade at the middle school, Centertown and Dibrell. Students from those schools compose the beginning band. Jazz band and concert band are also offered at WCMS.

The high school band boasts two students who have earned college scholarships in Sam Jaco and Jared Thackxton. Jaco will study classical guitar at Tennessee State, while Thackxton, who plays euphonium, will study music education at Mars Hill.

In addition to two performances from the high school band, the Silver & Gold Band also performed last weekend.