The Libby Logger concert band recently took part in the World Strides Seattle Heritage Festival, earning a gold ranking while finishing at the top of their class.

WorldStrides sets up festivals in several locations around the country, Brandon Boone, the director of the band, said. The Loggers played in the festival, held from April 13 to April 16, with numerous other bands, orchestras and choirs from all over, Boone said.

The band performed two pieces which were judged. The pieces were "Appalachian Morning" by Robert Sheldon and "Partita for Band" by Timothy Broege. After the band receives several critiques from the judges, the judges spend some time working with the band, Boone said.

"I'm happy to say that the band did an outstanding job. I'm really happy with how they performed," he said. "Everything that we had worked on throughout the year really came together in that moment, and they just really played their hearts out."

Today, the band will travel to the district music festival in Kalispell along with the Libby Logger Choir and several individual student performers.

The band is a good mix of freshmen through seniors, Boone said. Boone said that the concert and pep bands are composed of the same kids.

"Our kids do a lot of playing throughout the year," he said.

Originally from Kentucky, this is Boone's third year in Libby. He plays saxophone, guitar and most other instruments he teaches.

"I thought this is a place where I can really try and go out and make a difference in the community and do some good," he said.

At the Kalispell music festival, the concert band and choir will play. Additional acts include Allison Beaty with a trumpet solo, Cash Vaughn with a trombone solo, Kayla Hoff and Cheyenne Nielson playing a flute duet, Teague Thompson with a tuba solo and Dayton Johnson playing a Marimba Solo.