The seniors who play with Jordan High’s Wind Symphony can walk across the stage at commencement knowing they are leaving a superior legacy intact. Earlier this month, the school’s Wind Symphony, led by teacher Randal Clark, took home honors at the Utah State Concert Band Festival.
Out of 35 bands that qualified for the festival, Jordan was one of only six that received “Superior” ratings for its performance. This marks the 12th consecutive year that Jordan’s student musicians achieved such high scores, which Clark says is a “pretty big deal in the music world kind of like the Superbowl.”
Senior Holly Tuft, who plays the clarinet, says the scores are sweet relief after years of hard work. “It feels good to have contributed to continuing the legacy,” says Tuft, who has earned a music scholarship at Southern Utah University. The win at the festival also showed “that we work hard and don’t give up,” said Adam Millett, the senior percussionist.
The students performed “Americans We,” by Henry Fillmore; “Ride,” by Samuel R. Hazo; and “One Life Beautiful,” by Julie Giroux.
This is just the latest in a series of superior ratings for the Beetdiggers. In fact, Clark says, Jordan’s string of top ratings for students in Concert Band, Jazz Band and Orchestra make it one of the most successful programs in the state.