EVANSTON — Evanston High School played host to the Wyoming All-State Music Convention and Festival this week, and, judging by the enthusiasm on display at the two public concerts, the event did not disappoint. More than 400 music students and more than 200 music educators from around the state descended upon EHS for days of hard work, fun and — of course — music.

The opening concert on Sunday night featured the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago-based LowDown Brass Band. Those in attendance knew they were in for a special evening right from the start, as the entire audience rose and sang the national anthem. UCSD No. 1 Superintendent Ryan Thomas said the rendition left him with goosebumps. Indeed, hundreds of musicians singing in unison did result in a moving experience. 

The UW Symphony Orchestra performed four pieces, including a Gershwin number and the bacchanal from Samson and Delila.

The LowDown Brass Band literally had the audience dancing in the aisles with their mix of brass instruments, percussion and some hip-hop flavored vocals. The combination of saxophone, trumpets, trombones, drums, vocals and a sousaphone definitely got the crowd going. At one point hundreds of audience members formed a conga line around the auditorium, even winding up and across the stage behind the band.

Saxophonist Dave Levine said, “You guys are amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that.” 

On Monday evening students attended an event at Davis Middle School, with opportunities for swimming, dancing and other activities, while music educators attended the Wyoming Music Educators Association banquet. 

Lyman teacher Chuck Brumbaugh was honored with the WMEA Music Educator of the Year Award. Recipients of the award are nominated by a fellow teacher and selected by a majority vote of the WMEA Board. Brumbaugh was recognized for his years of excellence in music education. 

The All-State Music Gala Concert featuring all of the students honored with selection to the All-State Band, Orchestra and Choir. The EHS auditorium was a packed house, including the balcony. Throughout the evening, students who had been awarded All-State honors through all four years of high school were recognized, as were the three students chosen as outstanding seniors for band, orchestra and choir. 

The band opened the evening under the direction of Marcellus Brown, director of bands at Boise State University. The band performed four selections, including a piece that featured a trio of folk tunes and a number entitled “Melodious Thunk.” 

The orchestra followed, under the guidance of conductor Dr. James Mick, associate professor at Ithaca College. The choir finished up the evening under the direction of Dr. Pearl Shangkuan, director of choral activities and music professor at Calvin College. The choir performed tunes largely from American composers. 

All three musical groups received standing ovations from the audience at the conclusion of their performances. Perhaps band director Marcellus Brown summed the event up most appropriately when he said it was “an immense amount of work disguised as a whole lot of fun.”