Upper Columbia Academy’s 60-member concert band and their director, Jerry Lange, were pleased to host the 17th Biennial Band Clinic for schools in the Upper Columbia Conference.
One hundred guest students from grades six through 10 arrived on UCA’s campus around noon on a Thursday to join UCA’s band for the clinic. Together, they enjoyed an afternoon of rehearsals with clinic director Brandon Beck from Walla Walla College. That evening, along with a special worship and recreation period, UCA students illustrated fascinating examples of music technology.
On Friday, students attended workshops pertaining specifically to their instruments presented by expert private instructors and members of the Spokane Symphony and the British Brass Band.
Following additional rehearsal time on Friday afternoon, the students enjoyed a special vespers program featuring music from the WWC sax quartet, brass quintet and the organ.
The clinic concert took place on Saturday evening with Keith Waters, UCC’s education superintendent, serving as master of ceremonies. In addition to the 160-member clinic band performing their clinic music, featured performers for the evening were UCA’s brass quintet, horn quartet and brass choir.
A formal reception followed the concert. The schools participating in the clinic included Harris Junior Academy, Lake City Junior Academy, Liberty Christian School, Spokane Junior Academy, Spokane Valley Adventist School, Tri-City Junior Academy, and Yakima Adventist Christian School.
UCA alternates the band clinic every other year with a choral clinic.
The 160-member clinic band included seven tuba players.
Saxophone instructor Leo Potts checks a student's "grip" on his mouthpiece during one of the workshops.
Students enjoyed stories from Leo Potts during the trombone workshop. (Cheri Corder)
Flutes are among the most difficult instruments to keep in tune. Just before the concert, UCA flute players helped most of the 34 flute players to tune up. (Cheri Corder)
To see the 160 Christian young people who made up the clinic band was almost as much an inspiration as hearing their music. (Cheri Corder)
Seeing the 160 Christian young people who made up this clinic band was almost as inspiring as hearing their music. (Cheri Corder)
