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West Valley High School announced music students recognized at the recent Annual Eastern Washington Music Educator's Association Regional Solo and Ensemble Competition in Spokane. They are:

Zac Slovarp – first place euphonium division (qualifies for State Competition – second year in a row).

Amanda McLaughlin – first place flute division (qualifies for state).

Krystal McCarthy – second place snare drum division (first alternate to state).

Brass Ensemble – second place (first alternate to state) – this group includes three students who made All-State Band.

Percussion Ensemble – second place (first alternate to state.

Eli Brown – third place trumpet division (second alternate to state).

Doug McManaway – third place piano division (second alternate to state).

Josh Johnston – third place tuba division (second alternate to state).

In addition, these individuals/groups received the following ratings:

Superior

Flute quartet

Clarinet septet (performed at Board Appreciation Night)

Aspen Wolff – Clarinet solo

(All of the above state qualifiers)

Excellent

Trumpet trio

Clint Slovarp – French horn solo

Gavin Mitchell – Trumpet solo

Rachel Cox – Bassoon

Danielle Warner – Clarinet solo

Ashley Belcher – Marimba solo

Good

Jennifer Claeson – Flute solo

Kimber Alsperger – Flute solo

Chris Babinski – Piano solo

Rhea Woolley – Oboe solo

"West Valley's Eagle Marching Band has its sights set on Washington, D. C. The 80-member high school group was selected to march in the 2006 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade as one of only 10 bands chosen nationwide."

"The West Valley Eagle Marching Band comes on the field, escorted by flag girls in purple dress and cone-shaped damsel caps. The marching Eagles are what brought Scott and Cheryl Gade to the game. The band parents sit one row from the top of the grandstands. Many of the parents around them are peering at the oncoming production through the small rangefinders of video cameras, but the Gades are just observing. Their son, Matt Gade, marches in the back of the band procession, shouldering a big bass drum.

The scene unfolding on the field is one both parents recognize.

"I played some football in high school and then I joined the band." Scott Gade says. "We were both in marching bands. A lot of this is the same."

Give Spokane Valley time to mature and outlast its detractors - the city just survived a disincorporation petition - Scott Gade says, and the other cultural events, like symphony performances will materialize.

For now, music played from the 50-yard line will do just fine.