The Florida Union Free School District’s Summer Band Program returned for its fifth year where 20 middle and high school students perfected their musical skills in preparation for a lively concert to be held July 29.

The program ran three days a week this July where high school students were tasked with performing solos and duets, which they did with confidence, while middle school students improved their musical skills and worked to play with a fuller sound in a small group with each player having individual responsibilities.

“They are playing a full semester’s concert program in one month and that is very impressive,” Band Director William Couture said of his middle school musicians. “I’m happy that the kids volunteered to be here and they all do exceptional work.”

Rising eighth grader Liana Scheuermann, who plays the B-flat clarinet, takes time out of her summer break to practice playing music so she can become better by the start of the new school year. She enjoys the variety of music she gets to play with her friends.

“I love it when we do fun pop songs in band,” Scheuermann said. “Practicing those songs with my friends is so much fun.”

All of this practice will cumulate with a free concert on Wednesday, July 29 at S.S. Seward’s Cafetorium starting at 6 P.M. The set list promises to be diverse. 

Scheuermann will play on three songs – the Pharrell Williams hit “Happy”, the challenging to perform, but upbeat “Sabre Dance” and “Overture in B-Flat” to finish.

“This song is fun and upbeat,” Scheuermann said of the last number. “You can expect sudden changes in time signatures.”

Kimberly Gonzalez Barragan, a rising eighth grade flute player, cannot wait for the audience to hear the band’s rendition of “Happy” and shared her favorite part of playing music.  

“What I love most about music is the overall sound, how every single instrument plays an important role and the art of how a piece is performed and conducted,” Gonzalez Barragan said.