School district bands entertain at Winter Concert

Ramona school district music students presented their annual Winter Concert at Ramona High School on Friday evening.

The concert featured the Ramona Unified School District Elementary Band, Olive Peirce Middle School Band and Jazz Band, the Ramona High School Royal Blues Jazz Band, and the Ramona High School Royal Alliance Band and Guard.

The concert came on the heels of the RHS marching band and color guard bringing home five first place trophies this season, their most in more than 10 years.

“This group of students have brought things to the table that have made this season so successful—great talent and an exceptional work ethic,” said Daniel James, band director. “In my seven years at RHS, I have never seen a band work harder.

“In addition, the 20 seniors in the band have been the heart of this program for the past two years and provided great leadership for all the other classes.”

The students set out with the goals to win their division at the Marching Band Open Series Championships and go to the finals. They were successful in doing both, beating Norco High School, their toughest competitor last year.

“I feel very blessed to work with such great kids, and to share in the passion that we all have about music,” said James. “I am very proud of their development as musicians and people. My goal is not to use kids to make music, but to use music to make kids.”