Local student and adult musicians will perform at the annual San
Benito County Music Festival April 8 and 10, celebrating the
county’s bands, orchestras, choral groups and jazz ensembles.
Local student and adult musicians will perform at the annual San Benito County Music Festival April 8 and 10, celebrating the county’s bands, orchestras, choral groups and jazz ensembles.
The festival, which is free and open to the public, has been going strong for over 50 years, said coordinator Bob Bouchard.
“The festival provides a valuable learning experience for young musicians and an enjoyable program for our audience,” he said. “I believe those who attend will note the progress from elementary to middle school through high school and see what benefits there are in music education – studies have shown that, academically, student musicians to better in other subjects as well.”
More than 400 students will perform for an audience that has grown to surpass the size of its venue. This year, the festival had to be split into two nights. The band and orchestra performances will be held Tuesday in San Benito High School’s Mattson Gym and the choral groups and jazz ensembles will perform Thursday in the Rancho San Justo Middle School Gym. Both events begin at 7 p.m.
Participating schools include the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District Band, the Anzar High School Jazz Band, the Hollister School District Elementary School Band, the Rancho San Justo/Marguerite Maze Middle Schools Concert Band, Jazz Band and Chorus, the San Benito Children’s Choir, the SBHS Scarlet Regiment Band, Jazz Band and Percussion Line, the SBHS Chorus, and piano accompanists.
Selections will include “Ode to Joy,” “Star Wars,” “You Can Do Magic,” “Silverado,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” “Killer Joe,” “Die Nachtigall” and “What a Wonderful World.”
The festival is sponsored by the San Benito County Office of Education.
