Kamiakin Middle School’s final concert took place on June 2, providing the perfect send-off for this year’s eighth grade wind ensemble. The group will begin high school in September.

The final concert is always a celebration of wonderful kids performing terrific literature and this year, the Wind Ensemble was able to feature the band’s own Victoria Alkin, a nationally-ranked ballroom dancer who waltzed with her partner, Scott Nicholson to The Skater’s Waltz. Also featured was the band’s exceptional oboist, Davin Schaible, who performed Gabriel’s Oboe. Over the course of the year, exceptional musicians were recognized with quarterly, yearly and special awards.

This year’s sixth grade quarterly certificates went to Natalie Ferrara, percussion; Amelia Hawkins, flute; Natalie Sauze, trumpet; and Amy Courage, clarinet. The seventh grade certificates were awarded to Grace Zackula, flute; John Stirrat, trumpet; Christopher DeSilva, french horn; and Jake Haas, baritone saxophone. Those recognized in the 8th grade band were Anthony Zhou, alto saxophone; Heather Gengo, baritone saxophone; Elizabeth Prows, tenor saxophone; and Claire Whiteside, clarinet. Quarterly success certificates in the Jazz Ensemble went to Brandon Gilbert, tenor saxophone; Andreea Ghizila, piano; Aleksandr Nosyrev, drums. “Member of the Year” awards were given to Lexi Durbin, sixth grade flute; Claire Longcore, seventh grade clarinet; Annie Balback, 8th grade flute; and Grace Burt, eighth grade alto saxophone. The Kamiakin band program’s most prestigious award, The Director’s Award, was given to Brandon Gilbert and Grace Burt for their expertise as saxophone players in all of Kamiakin’s four bands.

This year’s Peter Riffe Memorial Scholarship was awarded to sixth grader Natalie Ferrara who is a percussionist in Kamiakin’s Concert Band.

The outstanding elementary musicians were fourth-grade clarinetist Gryff Thomas and fifth-grade clarinetist Ella Apley.