Director Mary Ann Vidourek, back right, with some of her top band students. Front row are honor band participants Duane Stokes, left, Annie Wall and Marta Faulkner. Those three students and Sam Bentz, back left, will attend the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle this weekend.

LA GRANDE – Three Grant Union senior band students performed in the Nov. 4 District 6 honor band concert held at La Grande High School.

Grant Union music director Mary Ann Vidourek recommended the following students for participation in the event: senior Marta Faulkner, flute, freshman Annie Wall, clarinet; and freshman Duane Stokes, baritone.

Vidourek described Faulkner as a dedicated musician.

“She practices, she’s interested in many styles of music and she participates in the Burns community band,” Vidourek said, adding that Faulkner is also creating a senior music portfolio and arranging a piece of music for the band.

Vidourek described Stokes and Wall as two “young aspiring musicians.”

Stokes said he enjoyed the concert.

“It was a great time and fun to work with a bunch of kids who know what they’re doing and had their pieces down,” he said.

Wall said she enjoyed playing with a big band and enjoyed working with director Ed Higgins of Portland State University.

“I always look forward to honor band,” Faulkner said. “It’s fun to work with serious students and experienced, well-known directors.”

These three students and Sam Bentz, who plays alto saxophone, will participate in this year’s Western International Band Clinic Nov. 21-24 where they will learn from and play for Robert W. Smith.

“We play a lot of his repertoire,” Vidourek said.

She will direct the Humbolt Elementary Christmas program at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 at the Grant Union new gym, and the Grant Union holiday concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Grant Union old gym.