Having been in band at Waitsburg’s Preston Hall for two years, my son Niko knows what it takes to get ready for performances.

But his most recent “gig” was a bit different.

Niko, who plays guitar in jazz band at Bainbridge High School, along with three dozen of his fellow band members, received a surprise last-minute invita- tion to a special event last week.

How last-minute? Let’s just say they had a mere five days to practice four pieces, three of which were original arrangements of songs they hadn’t played before.

Courtesy of their music teacher, Chris Thomas, who put their tri...