Press Release
Custer County Schools
Congratulations to the Custer County Middle School students, Cameron Penkoff (Euphonium) and Weston Jones (Percussion), who were selected to the San Luis Valley Music Educator’s Association (SLVMEA) Honor Band. The concert took place on Friday and Saturday, January 18-19, 2019, at Adams State University.

“These young men prepared and recorded a live audition which was judged by area band directors. They were selected from amongst eight area middle school bands from the San Luis and Wet Mountain Valleys,” noted band instructor, Andrew Straight. “Last Friday they traveled to Adams State University in Alamosa, CO, to prepare an entire concert in just two days. The SLVMEA brought in clinician Stoney Black, the band director of Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs, to work with the students. After 10 hours of rehearsal over two days, Cameron and Weston and the rest of the SLVMEA Honor Band performed a great concert with works including Jupiter from Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” as well as “Aliens Landing” by John Prescott that included lots of fun and interesting percussion sounds to simulate aliens landing in your backyard.”

Congratulations, also, to the following CCHS Bobcat Band members for being selected to the February 2019 CSU-Pueblo Festival of Winds Honor Band!  Cody Hopkins (Flute), Holly Wenger (Bassoon), Emilee Woolery (Bb Clarinet), Trinity Nelson (Alto Saxophone) and Andrew Slawski (Trombone) were selected.

Congratulations also to Tyler Ferron (Trumpet) and Wulfgar Parmenter (Alto Saxophone) for being selected as Alternates to the Festival of Winds!

These student musicians will be working with world-renowned conductors from all over the globe to prepare a concert that will take place on Saturday, February 16th, at Pueblo Memorial Hall from 4-6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend, and ticket prices are $9 for adults and $5 for students. In addition to preparing a concert, these students will also attend concerts and masterclasses with the United States Army Band, Air Force Jazz band, and Pikes Peak Brass band.
Congratulations to these students, and we hope to see you on February 16th!