GLENDALE, Ariz. – Peoria Unified School District’s Honor Band put on a terrific performance on Saturday, February 7 at Cactus High School, 6330 W. Greenway Road, Glendale. More than 150 students from across Peoria Unified had an opportunity to showcase their talents.
The showcase began with a performance from the Junior High Honor Band, followed by a unique solo performance from the Honor Band’s percussionists and ended with a performance from the High School Honor Band.
“We are excited to offer this opportunity for our students to present their talent to our community,” shared Stacy Hamilton, Interim Director of Arts Education. “Our students’ unwavering dedication and commitment to their art is evident through their performances.”
These students, guided by esteemed guest clinicians, performed pieces that extend beyond the normal rigor of their coursework. Honor Band students represent the highest levels of quality and excellence across Peoria Unified. Junior high students are nominated at each site, and high school students participate in district-wide auditions, highlighting the selective nature of Honor Band.
This year’s High School Honor Band consists of 67 students that proudly represent six Peoria Unified high schools, including Cactus, Centennial, Ironwood, Liberty, Peoria and Sunrise Mountain. The Junior High Honor Band includes 93 students from all 33 of Peoria Unified’s K-8 schools.
The Peoria Unified School District has 43 neighborhood schools, including one virtual school designed to meet the needs of all preK-12th grade students. For the past 135 years, Peoria Unified has been an Arizona public school district of choice, where students can receive a high-quality education rooted in the values that their families share. Students experience the best in academics, athletics and arts education where education is personalized to meet the needs of each child. Peoria Unified invests in programs which prepare every student for a successful future, including free full-day kindergarten, special education, gifted education and career and technical education. To continue its long history of success, the district maintains its focus on five key components of its strategic framework: Student Success, Learning and Teaching, Safety and Wellness, Stewardship of Resources and Parent and Community Engagement. The Peoria Unified School District continuously pursues its vision of “Every student, every day, prepared to shape tomorrow.”