John Philip Sousa award winner!

Wednesday
This evening was Laura's last school band concert, and according to tradition the last piece they always play at the Spring concert is John Philip Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever march. After they have played it once, the director announces the winner of the John Philip Sousa Award - this is quite a prestigeous nationally recognized award - given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding participation and dedication to the band program. Then the director hands over the baton to the winner who then conducts the final stanza of Stars and Stripes again. We knew there was a good chance she would win it but we weren't sure until this evening! She received the certificate this evening and will receive a trophy at next week's band awards ceremony. We were such proud parents!