Band and Choir has had many successes this school year. These groups are composed of very hard working groups full of exceptionally talented individuals who have accomplished so many performances and achievements.
Andre Wilkins, the band and choir teacher here at Salida High School, shared some details about this year’s Blossom Fest, which was on two high school campuses in Canon City and in Florence. The Jazz Band performed at Florence High school on May 1, 2025, and the Concert Band performed at Canon City High school on May 1, 2025. Wilkins described Blossom Fest as a band competition and adjudication festival. This is helpful for performers to receive some beneficial constructive criticism on what they have been doing well, and what they may need to improve on. This is also helpful to Wilkins, as these tips and judgments are what Wilkins uses to drive a lot of the curriculum that he plans for the following year. In the competition, Jazz Band placed second and Concert Band placed fourth.
The Choir held a fundraiser at the Velveteen. The fundraiser raised about $170, and a large group of student leaders performed. The fundraiser was brought together by Reese Daugherty and Amato Halenda, current seniors. Wilkins described the Velveteen as a smaller space with a very tight crowd so it was more of an intimate cabaret style of performance.
To attend events such as the recent choir festival held at Adams State University, it costs money, so the main goal of fundraising is to help make enough funds to offset the costs of registration fees, help kids pay for meals, and provide proper concert attire for those who may not have access.
Next year, Wilkins plans on continuing to do the annual combined choir concert with Buena Vista. Choir is planning to keep doing what was done this year, with a lot of out of school performances.
For the Marching Band, they always do a Marching Band camp, where they spend two days learning marching fundamentals and in the evening they attend a small banquet held at the arcade. Right now, the Marching Band is gathering funds by selling personalized coffee bags that say “Salida High School Marching Band”. They’re currently fundraising this money for flags for the Color Guard.
Some very big achievements of Band this 2024-25 school year was Caleb Vold making All State Concert Band In Greeley, Colorado. Wilkins said, “it was like three days of some of the most high level performing I had ever heard, and Caleb was like one of the main percussion people for it which was freaking awesome.” Other than the All State Honor Band, the band sent members to the Tri Peaks League Honor Band in November and the Western Colorado All Colorado Honor.
Choir had many achievements this year as well, such as all of the performances they did outside of school. Wilkins explained how everyone was super dedicated in the Audition Choir. Wilkins also added that they were able to make the Audition Choir a Colorado Mountain College (CMC) credit class to ensure they get one credit of CMC General Education.
Band and Choir had so many successes and achievements this school year, and came a very long way with remarkable performances.