Sisters band takes second in state

The Sisters High School Symphonic Band ended a successful festival series by winning second place in the 2008 OSAA Music Championships, held at OSU LaSells Stewart Center on May 7.

Only nine bands from 41 4A schools state-wide qualified by OSAA rules for participation in this year's contest. Sisters qualified for consideration for the championship by winning their division at the Clackamas College Band Festival on March 13, where they were also the second-highest scoring band overall attending that festival.

This trip to the State Championship marked the ninth consecutive year for Sisters High School Band, a notable claim which only few schools can make. In this time Sisters has earned numerous top-five places in the OSAA Championship archives: third in 2000, fifth in 2002, first in 2003, fifth in 2005, third in 2007 and now second in 2008.

Watching 19 senior class members of the band go on stage to receive the second place state award this year was bittersweet for band director Jody Henderson.

"I remember so clearly working with many of these senior students in their middle school band classes at the old Sisters Middle School, it seems like just the other day," Henderson said. "I am grateful they have been recognized for their work in the band program, and I look forward to hearing of the many more successes that greet them in life."