Kamiakin Middle School’s band program has always been busy with performances that include some of our region’s most talented young musicians. In addition to their regular events and popular evening concerts, the bands could be found performing at Seattle Center’s EMP Sky Church and the State Capitol Building in Olympia. Their year saw them providing support and entertainment for the Friends of Youth luncheon in Bellevue, the Kingsgate Library’s grand opening, elementary school events, and a host of other events.

During the course of the school year, the following students were awarded with quarterly certificates for their dedication and musical growth: Dhruv Ashok, french horn; Eliza Mannion, tuba; Aliyah Ayenew, flute; Mason McCurry, bassoon; Grant Pabst, bass; Liam Gibbs, percussion; Fiona McDaniel, flute; John Roeder, french horn; Jacob Grammer, percussion; Ashlynn Smith, alto saxophone; Cynthia Zhang, flute; Elie Gosney, flute. Certificates were also given to four students who earned “Band Member of the Year”: Sagnik Sinha, clarinet; Priyal Gupta, tuba, Claire Longcore, clarinet; Sarah Millican, alto saxophone. This year’s Peter Riffe Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Dhruv Ashok, french horn. The band program also recognized the efforts of Pam Zackula, a band parent who volunteered time and effort to the band for many years.

Kamiakin’s highest musical honor, The Director’s Award has a long legacy of listing the community’s finest musicians. For their musical prowess, unerring dedication to the bands, and for providing the highest example to younger musicians and their peers, two outstanding musicians continue the legacy: John Stirrat and Sarah Millican. Both will be freshmen at Juanita High School this Fall. Stirrat plays lead trumpet in Kamiakin’s Jazz Ensemble and is the section leader in Wind Ensemble. He studies with Barb Hudak and has earned Superior ratings for solos and small ensembles he’s played in over the years. Stirrat will be joining the pit orchestra for Studio East’s summer production of The Wizard of Oz. Sarah Millican is easily one of the top ten musicians to ever graduate from our program. Millican plays lead alto sax in the Jazz Ensemble and is the Section Leader in Wind Ensemble. Sarah studied with woodwind professional, Bruce Wilson, for several years and has consistently earned Superior ratings for her work on the saxophone. Millican’s solo rendition of “The Summer of ’42” now stands as one of Kamiakin’s most memorable performances.

The bands also had the following members accepted to Washington State’s 2016 Jr. All-State Band: Evelyn Locker, bassoon; Claire Longcore, clarinet; Rachel Gerhardt, trombone; Cynthia Zhang, flute; Henry Stirrat, percussion; Sebastian Kolde, oboe; Ashlyn Smith, saxophone; Caitlin Liddle, flute; Andrew Ellis, trombone; Daniel Ivanov, tuba; Kimaya Wijeratna, flute; and Sanjana Sitaraman, saxophone.

Ward Bannman is the band director at Kamiakin Junior High.