SaddleBrooke Winds & Strings (SBWS) sponsored a poetry contest and received submissions from all over the greater Tucson area. Our SBWS music director’s wife Annalisia teaches fifth grade, and she asked if she could have her classroom participate in the poetry contest. The poetry contest was open to all ages, so of course they could. SBWS recruited judges from all over this area, including poets, English Teachers from local high schools—a varied panel of judges, and Ms. Jacquez’s 5th graders ended up placing in the top five!
The poems went with the concert theme, “The Land,” and five student poems were recited (3 by the student poets) interspersed throughout the music program. The student’s poetry was amazing, and the audience response was as enthusiastic as their response to the great music the band performed.
As usual, Music Director Jesus Jacques provided stunning visual effects to go with the program. Mr. Jacquez really knows how to entertain!
SBWS’s next concert is Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 2 p.m. The free concert will be held at Vista de la Montana Methodist Church in Catalina. Donations are appreciated and go towards Vista de la Montana’s Audio-Visual Booth. On the program are selections from “The Music Man,” “Semper Fidelis,” “Harlem Nocturne” and more.
Save the date for Halloween. SBWS’s next concert at DesertView PAC will be “Halloween Spooktacular” on Friday, October 31, at 6 p.m. Music planned for this event includes “Night on Bald Mountain,” “Hall of the Mountain King,” “Music for a Darkened Theatre,” “The Skeleton Crawl,” “The Cave You Fear” and much more.
Finally, SBWS is available for summer programs in your venue! If you have room for 45+ musicians, their instruments and a percussion section, please consider us. We have a broad repertoire that includes patriotic pieces to celebrate Independence Day, marches, symphonic band pieces, standards and film and musical favorites. For more information, send an email to info@saddlebrookewindsandstrings.org.
