DVHS’s annual Area Band Festival shines light on flute-players from three different grade levels

Bella Vista Elementary fifth-grader Sampada Choppalli played at the Area Band Festival for the first time with two other fifth-grade elementary school bands. The bands performed two pieces: “Cyberspace,” a melodious instrumental track, and “Soar with the Dragons,” a strong, upbeat song and also Choppalli’s favorite of the two.  Having played the flute for two years, Choppalli looked forward ...

Eighth-grader Anbereen Ajina plays the flute in the Windemere Ranch Middle School band. She has been playing her instrument for four years since she first started in fourth grade. “I like how the flute sounds because it’s really pretty. Plus, we always get to play the melody like in ‘Despacito’ and ‘Ceremonial Chant,’” Ajina said.  The Area Band festival gave Ajina the opportunity to ...

Senior Sanjit Rao has played the flute for eight years since he first started in fourth grade at Hidden Hills. He’s a veteran of the Area Band Festival, having participated in fifth and eighth grade. As part of Wind Ensemble 1, Rao played “Star Wars,” “Semper Fidelis” and “Entrance of the Gladiators” for the high school portion of the festival. It’s DVHS tradition to open the high...