- And now, it is my distinct privilege to introduce the 2024 WSMA High School State Honors Band and their distinguished conductor, Dr. Andrea Brown.

[audience applauding] [dramatic band music] [dramatic band music continues] [brisk marimba music] [dramatic band music] [dramatic band music continues] [dramatic band music continues] [dramatic band music continues] [audience applauding] [band tuning instruments] [gentle band music] [gentle oboe music] [rousing band music] [audience applauding] [rousing band music] [rousing band music continues] [rousing band music continues] [audience applauding] [band tuning instruments] [playful band music] [playful clarinet music] [playful band music] [audience applauding] [gentle saxophone music] [gentle band music] [gentle band music continues] [gentle tuba music] [gentle oboe and flute music] [ominous band music] [gentle band music] [rousing band music] [gentle band music] [audience applauding] [dramatic drum music] [dramatic band music] [dramatic band music continues] [dramatic band music continues] [dramatic organ music] [dramatic band music] [audience applauding and cheering] - Hi, everyone.

Thank you so much for being here to support these folks.

It's pretty impressive, just amazing what these folks have accomplished.

You know, lots of parents here, so you know what the schedule has been, but it's just amazing.

They didn't see the music until we first met, and it came a long way in those days in June.

And then I have absolutely been blown away with what they've done in the last, basically 24 hours.

So it's really been impressive.

A lot of notes have been thrown their way, and they have definitely risen to the occasion.

So we hope you have enjoyed the concert this thus far.

I definitely just want to say just a few thank yous.

And of course, it's just an absolute honor to be invited.

This is, it's definitely, to be asked to participate and to lead a group like this is just, again, it never gets old.

It's always a pleasure.

And just to get to know a new group of folks and to work together and to make music in this experience together has been just wonderful.

And I want to thank Tim Wurgler and all the WSMA folks that have worked so tirelessly to make these events possible.

And it's, and just to have thought of me, to invite me to be a part of this.

You got to meet them earlier, but I definitely want to say big thank you to all of our section coaches.

Just it wouldn't be possible without them.

And just them taking care of me, as well as all of these folks and helping us learn the rep. And just, it's been a fantastic experience working with those colleagues.

I wasn't out here when you all were recognized, but I definitely want to say thank you to all of the educators that are in the audience today.

Just thank you for all of your tireless, tireless efforts, and just thank you, you're doing fantastic work.

And those of us that get to enjoy your efforts as they come to the university level, we really appreciate all that you do.

I definitely want to say thank you to all the families and friends of these folks up here that are here today as well.

Please continue to support these folks in all of their musical and creative activity.

You know, it's a wild and crazy world out there, and to be able to have these experiences where you're making music on your own is fantastic.

But to get to do it with other folks and to share in these experiences, there's just really nothing like it.

And it just helps so much with just developing your expressiveness, your humanity, your vulnerability, and just sharing a special part of yourself with other folks and to have these experiences.

And so there's opportunities, young folks to be able to do this, obviously, into way beyond high school.

So whether it's university, college, community ensembles, whether it's playing something different than what you all are holding right now, just please, please, please keep being creative and making music and doing your thing, 'cause you're amazing and very impressive.

Definitely want to say thank you to all of you for putting up with all of my antics for all the time that we've spent together, and it's just been an absolute blast.

And I thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all that you have given and shared, and I will definitely remember this one for sure.

All right, as much as you might have enjoyed that last piece, I think you might like this next one too.

It's very calm.

The parents that were here in June, they might know what's coming, right?

So, you know, just lay back and just relax, and enjoy "Un Cafecito."

[audience applauding] [brisk snare drum music] [sprightly band music] [sprightly band music continues] [sprightly band music continues] [sprightly band music continues] [sprightly band music continues] [sprightly band music continues] [audience applauding and cheering]