The MBUSD Honor Band & Honor Strings (funded by the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation) held their year end concert at Pacific School .  Under the direction of Dawn Farmer, these groups meet after school once each week from January through May to practice. 

In between selections by the entire band or strings groups, students performed in small ensembles or solos.  Most of the ensemble or solo work was practiced on the students' own time.  Pennekamp ensemble groups played a variety of selections including Mouret's Rondeau, Bach's Minuet and Prelude from Cello Suite No. 1, Humoresque, Scherzo, Rieding's Concerto No. 3, Turk's Capriccio, and Pachabel's Canon in D.

Earlier in the year, both Honor Band and Honor Strings groups competed at an adjudicated music festival.  There were 32 groups at the festival, all middle school aged except for our MBUSD students.  Only six "Superior" ratings, the highest possible rating that can be presented by the judges, were awarded--one went to our MBUSD Honor Band and another to our MBUSD Honor Strings!  

These were some of the comments from the judges: "Very musical for such a young group," "Wonderful technique," "Good intonation for such a young ensemble," and "Great job!  Wonderful preparation."

Congratulations to Director Dawn Farmer for her work with these young musicians.

Thank you to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation for sponsoring the elementary instrumental music program.

Thank you to Steve Bandel, Amanda Speiser and Tammy Choy for these photos.