Courtesy Photo The Alpena High School Wind Ensemble stands at its performance at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District Band Festival competition on March 8.

ALPENA — The Alpena High School and Thunder Bay Junior High School bands recently excelled in a district band festival competition.

The AHS Symphony Band and Wind Ensemble bands and TBJH Symphony Band all received straight 1’s, the highest rating possible, at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District Band Festival competition on March 8.

The bands, led by band teacher Mike Gozzard, received straight A’s and A+’s from the judges, who rate them in different categories, leading to the overall rating of all 1’s.

“We traditionally do really well, but what was unique about this year obviously is the element of snow and having 17 snow days,” Gozzard said. “I still went with ridiculously hard music for each group.”

The Wind Ensemble, comprised of students of all four high school grade levels, played music that is usually played by college bands. Gozzard said it was impressive that the students were able to play that music without resources that other schools may have.

“They did really well just with challenging music and the lack of school. They did a lot of work at home too,” he said.

Having so many snow days made Gozzard be creative with how to help the students learn the music. He used the app Flipgrid for at-home playing tests, so the students could submit videos of them playing their music. The students worked more at home with practicing and learning notes and rhythms.

Gozzard decided on harder music for the bands to play because he wants to push his students, make them work harder, and have them become better musicians.

“I don’t play it safe, I don’t teach just to try to get that 1 or that rating, I tell them it’s more about the moment that they’ll create in a performance,” he said.

During each performance, a judge talks into a microphone to give his or her thoughts and input about the performance and Gozzard said one judge told the Wind Ensemble band they were playing at a level that’s equal to some of the top bands in the state.

“The big thing we talked about about was there’s always more, so the very first thing I had my students do on Monday when we came back was ask them what’s your more, what’s one thing you can still improve on, what’s your one weakness that you can still make better,” Gozzard said. “They’re already right there and if they think about what their more is, I think that will make us just be even better.”

The students were excited when they found out they received all 1’s at the competition, Gozzard said. The younger students were even more excited seeing the 1’s since it was their first time going.

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.