On March 10, this year’s 33rd annual Popcorn Concert took place at 7:30 p.m. in Gym A to showcase the most recent work of Concert Band and Jazz Band.

The soloists that night for Jazz Band were Professor Brad Dawson from Fort Hays State University on trumpet, junior Cooper Eiland on drums, junior Caitlin Leiker on vocals, junior Cami Moore on bass and senior Brandon Kennemer on trumpet.

The soloists that night for Concert Band were freshman Alex Li on flute, sophomore Anneliese Marecic on bassoon, sophomore Dustin Rajewski on trombone, junior Alisara Arial on oboe, junior Kai Kaufman on horn, junior Ashley Vilaysing on clarinet, senior Paige Beamer on flute, Lynsie Hansen on alto sax, Kennemer on trumpet, and senior Shayla Meredith on bass clarinet.

Director Matthew Rome said that the concert went very well.

“I’m pleased with how both Jazz Band and Concert Band played,” Rome said. “It was particularly fun to feature Brad Dawson and Caitlin Leiker with the Jazz Band.”

At the concert, three awards were given to four band students. The first award that was presented that night was the Outstanding Senior Musician, which was given to Beamer. The second award that was presented was the Outstanding Band Member, which was received by Kennemer and senior Jimmie Roe. The last award that was presented that night was the Ben Gibson Memorial Award, which was given to junior Shae Brown.

When asked about his favorite part of the popcorn concert, Rome said that there were several things he enjoyed about the concert.

“I don’t know that I could narrow it down to just one, but I think three stick out above the rest; one, this is a tradition that we’ve been able to maintain for 33 years, and two, I’ve been so blessed to watch the Concert Band in particular perform more complex programs every year,” Rome said. “Last, but not least, I find the senior recognition incredibly bittersweet. The senior band members invariably become the heart of the band each year, and while I’m always so proud of all they accomplish, it’s hard to say goodbye.”

20maustin@usd489.com