Three Waitsburg students participate in Mass Band

DAYTON - Three students from Waitsburg High School had the opportunity to attend the Southeast Washington Music Educators Association (SEWMEA) Mass Band event in Dayton on October 22.

"When students participate in mass band concerts, they get to feel and play what the composers wanted their pieces to sound like when a large band executes the piece with all instrumentation. The sound becomes magical and expressive with meaning. I was very proud of our three girls from the high school band," said music teacher Elizabeth Jagelski.

Waitsburg High School Band flutist Sarah Daves and percussionists Rozalynn Harvey and Olivia Duncan joined band students from Asotin, Clarkston, Colfax, Dayton, Garfield-Palouse, Kahlotus, Lind-Ritzville, Oakesdale, Pomeroy, and Prescott in a concert at the Dayton High School gym.

The mass band played "Rampage!" by Todd Stalter, "Creed" by William Himes, and "Lassus Trombone" by Henry Fillmore. The student musicians were directed by visiting Whitman professor Dr. Susumu Watanabe.

Courtesy photo

Dr. Susumu Watanabe

Dr. Susumu Watanabe is a composer, arranger, conductor and educator from Nagoya, Japan. He is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Whitman College and directs the Whitman College Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble II.