The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - Hundreds of musicians will come together in Waitsburg on Wednesday, October 22, for the Southeast Washington Music Educators (SEWMEA) High School MASS Band and Choir 2014. The musicians will perform that evening.

This year's distinguished conductors are Jason Rose and Richland High school bands and Julie Jones from Walla Walla Community College choirs. They will rehearse and direct large groups in concert - about 75 in the MASS choir and 200 in the band. Groups from about a dozen small southeastern Washington schools have rehearsed the same music and will be ready to practice together before performing on the floor of Waitsburg High School's Kison Court. Participating schools include: Dayton, Prescott, Waitsburg, Touchet, Asotin, Clarkston, St. John/Endicott, Oakesdale, Tekoa, Roalia, Kahlotus, Washtucna, and Colfax.

The MASS chorus will perform "For the Beauty of the Earth," "Cross the Wide," and a medley from "The Lion King." The MASS Band will play "Sweet Land of Liberty," "Air for Band," by Frank Erickson, and the "Highlights from Disney's Frozen." In a creative bonus, the MASS percussionists will perform a piece on plastic chairs.

The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will last less than an hour. Admission will be taken at the door. "All are welcome to hear the artistic expression of southeastern Washington's small schools!" said Waitsburg music director Brad Green.