Young musicians herald spring’s arrival at Memorial Center

SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 days, 18 hours AGO

Members of the Libby Middle School seventh-grade band perform Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Memorial Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Audience members enjoyed the performances by the Libby Middle School bands Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Memorial Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Members of the Libby Middle School seventh-grade band perform Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Memorial Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Members of the Libby Middle School eighth-grade band perform Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Memorial Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Members of the Libby Middle School sixth-grade band perform Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Memorial Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Musicians in training were on display last week when the Memorial Center hosted the Libby Elementary and Middle School bands for the March concerts.

Proud director Patrick Lewis patiently guided his young performers through a selection of songs for the standing-room only crowd on the first day of spring, Thursday, March 20.

The jazz band led off the night with two songs. “Blue Rain” was led by soloists Sarah Kosters and Cailin Morgan while “El Gato Gordo” saw solo performances by Maizy Orr and Ben Beaty.

The sixth-grade band performed “First Concert March,” “Chorale #1” and “Crusaders.”

The seventh-grade band also played a trio of selections, including “March Heroic,” “An American Ballad” and “Mars.”

The eighth-grade musicians played “Ashton Overture,” “Ahrirang” and “March Phantasma.”

A fundraiser, sponsored by the Rotary of Kootenai Valley, for the Libby middle and high school bands will be held Thursday, March 27 at the Dome Theater, featuring actor Jack Black’s “School of Rock.”

The final concert for the bands will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, May 19 at the Memorial Center.

Here’s a look at the members of the band:

Jazz

Bear Saiz, Sarah Kosters, Ben Beaty, Alyson Young, Kayla Mesenbrink, Brookson Burson, Olivia Keller, Laura Morgan, Maizy Orr, Simeon Shattuck and Cailin Morgan.

Sixth grade

Matilyn Baney, Kynslie Green, Nora Hansen, Fiona Hanson, Kinley Iliff, Melissa Miller, Dean Blair, Graycee Cobb, Lindsae Masters, Prudence Medina, Evelynn Orr, Mason Eckart, Acton Farmer, John Oliveira, Paul Rigg, Kiara Roberts, Cason Schwegel, Trenton Svendsbye, Zariah Thomas, Brett Benson, Parker Clark, Kayleigh Dewitt, Asher Freyer, Finley Hannah, Gavin Harrington-Powell, Delaney Houston, Waylon Katzer, Gaven Miles, Braiden Nick, Lakyn Rewerts, DJ Sanders, Hudson Covey, Shae Hutchings, Kyleigh Peltier, JB Wood, Adesyn Cook, Zuri Bassett, Emma Breen, Kason Courteau, Hank McAfee, Taryn Wallin and Hailey Williamson.

Seventh grade

Charlotte Sherbo, Isabella Baker, Abigail Kirk, Sadie Stephens, Blake Newman, Kimber Stull, Shianne Allen, Stevie Greason, Kaylee Jellesed, Ivy Luchi, Audrey Love, Madison Foss, Ava Halvorson, Hayden Gullingsrud, Ellory Anderson, Alyson Young, Tymber Auge, Reagan Vincent, Griffin Cole, Adilynn Vaughn, Olivia Keller, Gabriel Gregory, Simeon Shattuck, Laura Morgan, Teagan James and Connor Johnson.

Eighth grade

Macy Foss, Cailin Morgan, Angelina Escudero, Brookson Burson, Settera McGreevey-White, Sarah Kosters, Lyllihan Green. Rylee Thompson, Bailee Kreutz, Harmony Keller, Zoey Williams, Ben Beaty, Dexter Hilton, Seamus Osborne, Thomas Nelson, Brookson Burson, Bear Saiz, Jayce Thompson, Brynn DeShazer, Raecyn Viergutz, Jayden McGhee, Elry Hall, Duke Johnson, Katelynn Bennett, Maizy Orr, Barrett Moe, Isaiah Officer and Talon Nordwick.

Audience members enjoyed the performances by the Libby Middle School bands Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Memorial Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Members of the Libby Middle School seventh-grade band perform Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Memorial Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)