Troy High Bands Earn Top Awards at Texas Music Festival

The following information was provided by Merri Lee Jones/Troy Colt Bands.

It was Fiesta Time for the Bands this past weekend when they earned tremendous kudos for their performances at the Heritage Music Festival competition in San Antonio, TX. 

Five groups – the Jazz, Concert, Symphonic and Marching Bands as well as the Winterguard ensemble – attended the competition.  Each received the Festival’s Gold Award, the highest honor possible. 

The accolades didn’t end there. In addition, the Symphonic Band received an invitation to participate in one of three Festival of Gold Concerts next school year. The venues are quite enticing: the renowned St. Ignatius Church in San Francisco, Orchestra Hall in Chicago or Carnegie Hall in New York City. Judge Jeff Laird, Music Supervisor of the Aldine Intermediate School District, called the band “exceptional.”

"We are very proud here in the State of Texas of our legendary bands, and there are many,” he told the Symphonic Band. “But I think I’ve just heard a legendary band from Michigan.” 

The Festival Judges also lauded several students for their individual performances.  John Pop and Danny O’Donovan received awards for their trumpet solos.  John Harrity was recognized for his clarinet performance and Alex Nutting earned honors for his saxophone performance.  Nick Masters was singled out for his exceptional jazz piano work. 

Two of the bands took to the streets of San Antonio to join in the week-long Fiesta Festivities. On April 26, The Jazz Band entertained hundreds of revelers who gathered on the world-famous River Walk, treating them to musical selections ranging from J. Geils’ “Freeze Frame” to Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood.” 

Then the Marching Band capped off the weekend by participating in the 64th Annual Fiesta Flambeau Parade, America’s largest illuminated night parade.  Well over half a million spectators cheered on the band along the route, making them a fan fave. The band also received two awards from parade sponsors:  Best Non-Local Band and Longest Distance Traveled by a Band.    

The THS Bands have enjoyed a highly successful year under the baton of . Nutting, who has conducted the bands for 13 years, led Troy High’s Marching Band to superior ratings this fall in the Michigan State Band and Orchestra Marching Band Competition.  

In addition, the Concert and Symphonic received “superior” ratings from the judges at District Finals this winter. The Jazz Band received top awards in March at the MSBOA Jazz Band Festival. The Concert and Symphonic Band will end their competitive/festival season on May 5, when they perform at the Michigan State Band and Orchestra finals held at Warren Woods Tower High School.  The Concert Band plays at 7:25 p.m. and the Symphonic Band takes the stage at 9:05 p.m.

All of the Troy Band Ensembles will celebrate their many accomplishments when they host their . The Concert will take place in the Troy High School Auditorium, 4777 Northfield Parkway in Troy. Admission is free.