Band students have prepared months for a casual concert in the gym. On March 11, the popcorn concert was held that only included the band.

The eighth grade band was included in the performance that night. At the Hays City Music Festival, the eighth grade band received a superior rating from the judges.

The popcorn concert is not like the typically concerts that are held at Beach/Schmidt Auditorium, they are held in gym A in the school.

Free popcorn is provided for the whole audience.

“My predecessor Bob Stutterheim who taught band at HHS from 1986-1996 started the Popcorn Concert in the winter of 1987,” band director Craig Manteuffel said. “I kept the concert tradition when I came to HHS in 1996.”

The concert only lasts about an hour, unlike the concerts at Beach/Schmidt.

“My favorite piece to play at the concert is Steel because it reminds me of a train,” junior Britney Werth said.

Awards were awarded to band members of the year. This year the award went to juniors Ben Rajewski, Alex Crowley, and Quin Brungardt. They won the award by always helping with loading the band equipment.

The winners for the senior award went to seniors Aislinn Walters, Amy Jordan and Austin Petz.

“I enjoyed playing in the jazz band,” freshman Cole Schmitt said. “It is a lot different than playing with the whole group. My favorite song we played in jazz band was Georgia on my Mind.”