MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND CONCERT A

SUCCESS
January 31, 2016

MMCMEA Middle School Honor Band participants practice one last time before showcasing
their efforts to a full audience on January 30, 20116
The annual Merced-Mariposa County Music Educators Association Middle School Honor Band
performed to a packed house at the Buhach Colony High School auditorium last night. Nearly
80 students representing 11 different elementary and middle schools were led by guest
conductor Matthew Cover after only four rehearsals together. Cover, who currently teaches at
Modesto High School, has also taught at Davis High School, Hickman Middle School and
Charter School, and at Modesto Junior College. He told the audience, I cant tell you how
fantastic this process has been with these kids. Ive loved every minute working with them. Ive
fed off of their energy, and I think theyve fed off mine. Weve grown from a little bit of chaos in
the beginning to what youve just heard, and they sound fantastic.
Though some students stated that the pizza they got to eat in between their last rehearsal and
the concert was their favorite part of the event, many appreciated the opportunity to work with
students from other schools to put on a concert with so few rehearsals. David Chen, a
Cruickshank Middle School student who was recently mentioned in a previous
ALLmercednews.com news story about winning the county spelling bee, played a beautiful flute
solo during one of the bands pieces Let Hope Reign by Larry Neeck.

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Organized by MMCMEA president and Mitchell Senior Elementary School band director
Raymond Cox, the honor band performed a joint concert for the 8th consecutive year with the
Buhach Colony Thunder Band led by director Chad Humphal. The Thunder Band has received
a Unanimous Superior Rating at a Bay Section CMEA Festival six times (the highest award
possible) and has been invited to once again perform at the Stand Up 4 Music Concert at the
State Capitol in May. The Buhach Colony High School Music Boosters will be hosting their 11th
Annual Crab Feed, Jazz Band Concert, and Auction at the Merced Fairgrounds on Februrary
6th. Tickets will not be sold at the door, so contact a Buhach Colony Music student or parent to
buy a ticket (hopefully one of them will chime in on our comments section).
Is there a school or community event you would like featured in an ALLmercednews.com story?
Send a message through our facebook page, or email newsdesk@allmercednews.com

MMCMEA Middle School Honor Band participants practice one last time before showcasing
their efforts to a full audience on January 30, 2016

Article from All Merced News. http://allmercednews.com/2016/01/31/middle-school-honor-band-concert-a-success-2/#.

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Honor band percussionists were focused during their last rehearsal before taking the stage on
January 30, 2016

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18 Rivera Middle School students that were selected for the honor band pose for a photo before
taking the stage to showcase their hard work.

MMCMEA Middle School Honor Band warms up before their performance on January 30, 2016

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MMCMEA President Ray Cox greets the audience before introducing guest conductor Matt
Cover.

Guest conductor Matt Cover addresses the audience

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David Chen, Cruickshank Middle School, plays a flute solo during Let Hope Reign.

Article from All Merced News. http://allmercednews.com/2016/01/31/middle-school-honor-band-concert-a-success-2/#.

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Guest conductor Matt Cover recognizes the band during a standing ovation from the audience
after their performance.

Guest conductor Matt Cover recognizes the band during a standing ovation from the audience
after their performance.

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MMCMEA President Ray Cox presents guest conductor Matt Cover with a plaque of
appreciation.

Chad Humpal, Buhach Colony High School Band Director, conducts Mars, a movement from
Gustav Holsts famous composition The Planets.

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