(Photo/Inji Kang’20/Media Team)

Academy’s Band’s Concert on Thursday, April 13, was a bittersweet end to its 2016-17 concert season. 

This performance included two songs from the OMEA Districts set: “Nathan Hale Trilogy” and “Ammerland,” along with two new pieces picked by the students: “Space and Beyond” and the theme from The Incredibles. 

Between each song, Band Director, Jessica Sneeringer, took time to acknowledge several students for their hard work this year and in seasons past. 

First, she awarded arts letters. To win an arts letter, a student must earn a total of six points, and since being in band only counts for one point every year, the student must go above and beyond. There were several first year letter winners, one second year letter-winners, and two third year letter-winners. 

Seniors Kami Tibbles and Michael Qi received the John Philips Sousa Band Award, given to seniors in high school bands across the country for their dedication, presence, and character in the band room. 

Sneeringer also gave a touching speech, recognizing each of the seniors at the end of the night. It was the seniors’ last band concert, and after many of them had been in band class for several years, it was easy to see how much she cares about her students.