SJPII Catholic School band, choir bring home awards from contest

The St. John Paul II Catholic School band earned the Sweepstakes Award for the sixth consecutive year on April 5 after the advanced band and middle school chorale traveled to The Foundry United Methodist Church to compete in the Houston Symphonic Band Concert and Sight-reading Contest and Choir Competition.

To receive this award, the band had to receive a first division Superior Rating on the concert portion of the contest as well as a first division Superior Rating in the sight-reading portion where they played a complete piece of music without rehearsing it.

The band is directed by Kenneth Griffin, a charter member of the Association of Texas Small School Bands who has been its executive secretary since its inception. The association’s 25th Anniversary Committee commissioned Griffin to write a march commemorating the event.

“I based the march on a rhythmic theme “A-T-S-SB” which opens the march and is repeated throughout,” said Griffin. He donated the commission fee back to ATSSB and titled the march “Resolution.”

The SJPII Chorale, made up of seventh- and eighth-grade students, also earned a “Superior” rating on their performance at the HSB Competition. The chorale opened its threesong repertoire with the spiritual, “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me

Next, the students sang in Portuguese “Ciranda da Lua” by Daisy Fragoso, a traditional Brazilian song. The piece ranged from slow and melancholy to a lively dance rhythm.

The last selection was called “Riversong”, composed by Andy Beck. The students were praised for their energy and dedication that they put into this performance.

“Working alone it is often far easier to accomplish a goal than when working with a group as astonishingly diverse as this one,” said chorale director Kelly Hughes.

“This group of students overcame incredible odds to sing in this competition. Even though they have only sung together this school year, they came together and gave an incredible performance. They achieved their goal of a Superior rating and I am so very proud of their accomplishment!”

The 2008 National Blue Ribbon Exemplary school is located in west Houston and serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students.

Visit www.jp2.org for details.

St. John Paul II Catholic School The St. John Paul II Catholic School Middle School Chorale pose with their director Kelly Hughes and their trophy.

Kilpatrick Elementary Kilpatrick Elementary celebrates its 2015-16 Volunteer of the Year nominees, from left: Elisha Frost-Rivera, Kimberly Beidle, Jennifer Hoeferlin and Shona Begg. They have dedicated a combined total of more than 880 hours this school year.

St. John Paul II Catholic School Kenneth Griffin directs the St. John Paul II Catholic School Advanced Band as they perform at The Foundry United Methodist Church.