Students playing xylophones, large and small, snare drums, bass drums, timpanis, and everything else percussion took the stage at Polson High School. They were the first group to perform at the concert given at the Western Montana Class A Band Festival on Jan. 27.

Led by Stephen Versaevel, director of percussion studies and assistant director of athletic bands at Montana State University, the kids played two songs, one which incorporated African drums.

More than 180 young musicians gathered from area high schools, including Hamilton, Libby, Polson and Stevensville, for the two-day festival.

The Polson auditorium stage couldn’t hold all of the students, so Libby and Stevensville high schools combined bands and went next. They were directed by John Combs, described in the program as “a cornerstone of the musical community in Missoula” by Polson band director Rich Sawyer. Combs spent from 1980 to 2009 teaching music at Hellgate High School before becoming the Fine Arts Supervisor for the Missoula County Public Schools.

The combined band began with “In the Forest of the King,” written by Pierre La Plante. It was a stately piece that sounded as if royalty on war horses should march onto the stage. The students also played a song from “Pirates of the Caribbean” and another selection before making way for the next players.

Then came Hamilton and Polson high schools’ ombined band with Dr. James Smart conducting. Smart is director of the University of Montana’s music department and in demand worldwide as a conductor and clinician.

The students first played “Teeth of the Mechanism” composed by John Mackey. PHS was involved with a consortium premier last year and passed the hat, so as to commission Mackey to write this energetic piece for the group.

The combined band also played John Phillip Sousa’s “Liberty Bell March” and another arrangement before ending the concert to much audience applause.

“It was a great festival,” Sawyer said. “I was very happy with all the hard work they were willing to put into the music.”

    Dr. James Sharp from the University of Montana conducts the Hamilton and Polson High School bands last Tuesday evening. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)