The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) designated March as Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®). For more than 30 years, music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation during this annual month of recognition.
The purpose of MIOSM® is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children — and to remind the community that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM® helps to increase awareness of the benefits of high-quality music education programs in our schools and provides an opportunity for educators to highlight their music programs and display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages.
The Bellevue School District has had outstanding, nationally recognized programs in music and arts throughout the district for years. Learn more about the work of our young musicians and view some of their recent accomplishments below.
Bellevue High School Performs in Starbucks’ “Hot Java Cool Jazz” Concert
The Bellevue High School Jazz Band was selected to participate in the exclusive Starbucks’ 26th annual “Hot Java Cool Jazz” Concert at the Paramount Theater in Seattle! This concert is one of the ways Starbucks provides opportunities for young people in the local community. On Friday, March 31, the BHS Jazz Band, alongside four other top high school jazz bands in the state, performed for the community in a great evening full of jazz. Other participating schools included Bothell High School, Roosevelt High School, Garfield High School, and Mt. Si High School. The Hot Java Cool Jazz concert has raised over $1 million for local school jazz music programs since its creation in 1995.
Interlake Chamber Orchestra Wins First Place in National Orchestra Cup
Congratulations to the Interlake Chamber Orchestra who won the National Orchestra Cup Championships held at New York City’s Lincoln Center on March 4! The Chamber Orchestra competed against seven other top high school orchestras selected from around the country to become the 2023 National Champions! Congratulations also to Interlake cello senior, Reagan Sam, on receiving the Most Outstanding Performer award!
The Interlake Chamber Orchestra is the esteemed string orchestra under the direction of Dr. Shira Katsman. While in New York, the orchestra had the opportunity to work with the internationally famous Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at Teachers College, Columbia University (their director’s alma mater), members of the Toomai Quintet and the Terra Quartet including cellist Audrey Chen (former Interlake orchestra graduate), and NYU Chamber Music Professor Dr. Stephanie Baer. The students also had the opportunity to see performances by the New York Philharmonic and the Broadway musical Wicked, and tour famous historical and cultural sites. Great job, Chamber Orchestra, BSD is proud of you!
Newport Band Continues Tradition of Excellence
The Newport Band Program is made up of hundreds of talented, motivated and energetic high school students. The program has a long-running tradition of producing highly refined and gifted performing musicians. Band students at Newport are given the amazing opportunity to play and compete in a variety of quality ensembles, receive excellent instruction, perform in a variety of unique and exciting venues, and represent their community across the country.
In February, under the direction of Todd Mahaffey, Newport Jazz Band performed at the Bellevue College Jazz Festival and had a fantastic clinic with Brian Shaw.
In March, Newport Band hosted the Thirteenth Annual Newport Jazz Festival. The festival included performances from high schools and fantastic guest jazz musicians from the Pacific Northwest, including Sid Hauser, Amanda Marquis, Nelda Swiggett, Audrey Stangland, Heather Chriscaden and Maria Wulf.
This month, 108 Newport Band students headed north for the Twenty-Fourth Annual Con Brio Whistler Music Festival held in Whistler, Canada April 20–23. Student musicians are also preparing for their upcoming Newport Band Annual Gala and Auction on Friday, April 28. The gala features jazz performances, delectable food and an interactive auction fundraiser to support Newport Band!
Sammamish High School Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Choir Win at the Commencement Bay Jazz Festival
Sammamish Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Choir competed at the Commencement Bay Jazz Festival on March 25. The festival is a divisional, competitive, and multi-stage event serving both vocal and instrumental high school jazz ensembles, hosted by the Fife High School Music Department in partnership with the City of Fife and the FHS Booster Club. Sammamish’s Jazz Ensemble took first place, and the Jazz Choir won third place in their divisions! Congratulations to Eddie Topel, Allsion Kuramura and Vionne Ondracek for winning soloist awards! Congratulations to all our talented jazz musicians and their teachers, Mary Davis and Ryan Hyde!
Zone Concerts Showcase Musicians and Collaboration Across Grade Levels
Zone Concerts in Bellevue are unique and inspiring events, bringing together students from all grade levels of music education to showcase their talents. Every year, band and orchestra students from high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools from each region come together for a beautiful celebration of music.
The North Zone Concert is hosted by Interlake High School, featuring the outstanding musical performances of students from Highland Middle School and Bennett Elementary. Bellevue High School hosts the West Zone Concert, where talented students from Chinook Middle School, Woodridge, Wilburton, Medina, Clyde Hill and Enatai Elementary Schools come together. Students from Tyee Middle School performed at the Newport High School-hosted concert, and Tillicum Middle School students played with Sammamish High School. All student musicians dedicated hours to perfecting their pieces to perform alongside one another.
These concerts not only uplift the talents of students, but they also inspire others to appreciate music and the arts. Elementary and middle school students who participate have the opportunity to learn from older students and see how they can continue to grow musically. Those who attend the Zone Concerts can experience how music education creates a sense of community, teaches students how to overcome obstacles, brings people together, and promotes the continued excellence of music education in the Bellevue School District.
