SJE-LWK band places second in California contest

With the hard work of participating in the band contest behind them, SJE-LWK band members enjoyed a day at Disneyland with their chaperones. Photos courtesy Carla Root.

The SJE Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Billy Ray, left, runs through some material in the practice room before hitting the big stage for the band competition.

Students from the combined St. John/Endicott/ LaCrosse/Washtucna/ Kahlotus band, officially named the SJE Wind Ensemble, traveled to California April 7 for the Heritage Music Festival in Anaheim and came home April 11 with a trophy in tow.

“We brought home the second place trophy,” band director Billy Ray said. “They earned it. They played really well.”

The second place trophy was awarded in the small schools division. Twenty-one schools from Washington, California, Arizona and Texas competed in that division, Ray said.

The band performed three pieces, including “Avalanche,” “Homeward Bound” and “Manhattan Beach.” LWK band director Lora Hille conducted “Homeward Bound,” and Ray conducted the other arrangements.

The band found out about its award after having a little fun at Disneyland Saturday, April 9. The awards ceremony was that night at the Fantasyland Theater.

“The awards ceremony was Saturday night, so we didn't know how we had done since we had performed on Friday,” Ray said, adding the students may have been “more focused on Disneyland at that point.”

The SJE Wind Ensemble takes this trip once every four years, and Ray said this group of students was a great representation.

“We had a wonderful experience,” he said. “The kids were great. They were great ambassadors for Whitman County.”

Ray also reported the trip did not come without a prank.

“We did bed checks Friday night, and checked that all the kids were asleep,” he said. “At least I thought they were.”

The kids, he said, arranged a prank for his birthday on April 9.

“The kids got up and decorated outside my room,” Ray said, noting his wife could hear them outside the door but he could not and that they saran wrapped the door and filled it with balloons between the wrap and door. When he opened the door the next morning, “all the balloons went rolling in and the kids all screamed happy birthday!”

“It was just a well-done celebration,” Ray said, stating that it was a good prank as it did no property damage and was not illegal. “It was terrific. The kids had a great time!”

The SJE Wind Ensemble will perform Saturday, April 23, during the St. John Community Fair parade.