Phoenix band Seniors honored at year-end concert

John C. Birdlebough High School recently hosted its annual Band Scholarship Concert, showcasing the extraordinary talent and dedication of its band students.

The highlight of the concert, which drew a packed audience of proud family members and friends, was a presentation of scholarships and awards to deserving band students in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to the school’s music programs.

Band Director Liza Grethel also took time to express the heartfelt pride she has in the senior class of band members as she extended well wishes for their future endeavors.

“When these seniors started high school, they were home and doing band online,” she said, alluding to the pandemic. “And you would have thought that we would have lost a bunch of students because of that. But we didn’t. And that’s because these 13 seniors are some of the coolest, most determined, enthusiastic, and energetic students you’ll find.”

Grethel also reflected on the band’s remarkable success during the past year, which included a Field Band Championship and a memorable trip to Disney World.

“This has been an amazing year of making music for this program,” she said. “And I’m just so thrilled for these incredible students who deserve this so much.”

As is tradition, the concert ended with alumni joining the band for the playing of the “Stars and Stripes Forever.”