As News Lifestyles editor Darby Hinkley reported recently, a year after they were supposed to go, the Alpena High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble will get a chance to perform this month in Grand Rapids.

The Wind Ensemble will perform at the Michigan Music Conference at DeVos Performance Hall in downtown Grand Rapids Jan. 27 to 29. The performance is at 10 a.m. on Jan. 28.

They qualified last year under the direction of Michael Gozzard, and this year’s new band director Brad Beyer will direct them in the performance, postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These students have put in an incredible amount of work, especially under the direction of their fine previous director, Mr. Mike Gozzard,” Beyer said at the concert. “And they went through an elaborate process of auditioning.”

We’re glad to see the kids make it back to that much-earned honor, and we wish them luck in their performance.

Congratulations, kids! Keep up the good work!