12th Annual Winter Invitational

On Saturday Dec. 3rd, Lakeview Jr. High School was the site of the 12th Annual District 66 Winter Invitational Band Festival.  The day was filled with music from 16 different concert bands from around the area.  It was truly a day to celebrate music education and to provide an experience for students to showcase their talents and hard work.  The ensembles that performed put in many hours of preparation for this day.  They also look forward to this festival to get their performance feet wet before they put on their winter concerts over the next two weeks.  When this festival began, it ran its first year with 5 bands of which 3 were from District 66.  We are very proud of how the festival has evolved and that directors continue to look forward to this festival every year.


But a festival like this requires much planning and preparation.  Planning for this festival began last May when the date was set.  Directors were contacted and mailings were sent out.  Over the summer months registration was received from the directors and in late August we had most of our participants in place.  At that time Mr. Glenn Williams was contracted to be our judge.  He did a terrific job providing positive feedback and constructive criticism to the ensembles.  


In early September, the participants were finalized.  Over the next month planning took place with the music booster board.  Determining how many volunteers we would need, rooms to use, cafeteria needs, bus parking, meals, signage, etc....was discussed.  After contacting the directors several times, program information and equipment needs were determined.  By Thanksgiving, I had to have the entire program completed, band homerooms assigned, festival information done, student volunteers secured, and trophies ordered.  About a week before the festival, we trained our student volunteers on how to guide groups through the day so they are on time and where they need to be.  Programs are copied and folded and shopping is done for the cafeteria. 


One day before the actual festival, everything must come together.  Student volunteers came to school on their day off to help move equipment, set up the gym, set up the cafeteria, and reset the band room.  The music boosters set up the cafeteria and the school was transformed into a music festival site.


The amount of personal hours poured into this festival not only by myself but from the student volunteers, student alumni volunteers, parent volunteers, and the school administrators is incredible.  Unlike some festivals that are run as a fundraising opportunity for some groups, ours is not.  Our focus will always be the musical and educational experience!!  Sometimes you do things because there is a need for it and not because of the financial reward that may come from it.


Thank you to all of the people who had a part in making this festival a success.  Next year is lucky number 13!!


Mr. T