One more encore

A grand finale for a whirlwind year.

Sequim High School’s group of musicians — Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Jazz Band — capped a busy 2007-2008 school year with a concert for the hometown fans and parents June 10.

Director Vern Fosket led the collective in saying goodbye to 18 seniors and handed out numerous end-of-the-year awards, including the Richard Meyers Memorial Music Scholarship to Sequim senior percussionist Jon Bash.

Other SHS band awards include:

• John Philip Souza Award (chosen by students/Wind Ensemble): Daylee Joers

• Director’s Award/Wind Ensemble: Olivia Creasey

• Most Improved (Wind Ensemble): Stephanie Phipps

• Innovative Percussionist Award: Jon Bash

• Most Improved (Percussion Ensemble): Jon McHugh

• Louis Armstrong Award (chosen by students/Jazz Band):

Taylor Ackley

• Most Improved (Jazz Band): Ben Spray

• Woody Herman Award (director’s choice/Jazz Band): Bash

Before finishing the evening with a pair of sizzling jazz numbers with guest musician Craig Buhler, Fosket recounted a number of SHS band highlights from the year, including the biennial Disneyland trip and adjudication, a record number (17) of all-state musicians, Bash’s second-place performance at state in the multiple percussion division, a rather rainy parade experience in Victoria and the Jazz Band’s academic state championship.