Gathering in the auditorium for one last time this year, the string ensemble, concert band, symphonic band and United Sound band took part in the annual spring band concert to bring the year to a close and celebrate the graduating seniors.

Part of this senior send-off included an awards presentation of three scholarships. Katya Kirilyuk, an accomplished percussionist, violinist and vocalist, was the recipient of the Band Booster scholarship, which rewards exemplary effort, leadership, character and musical performance. This will go towards her pursuit of a major in elementary education at James Madison University.

“Honestly, I’m so thankful because lots of us in the band were capable of earning this scholarship, so it was surprising to me that I received it. I did lots of things outside of school but not much at school, like marching band, which made me think that they wouldn’t consider giving it to me, but I am so thankful,” Kirilyuk said.

Awarded the Jeff Williams Memorial Award, which recognizes the same qualities as the previous scholarship, was Nicole Rabb, who will be attending JMU and continuing her colorguard career with the Marching Royal Dukes.

The final senior who received a scholarship was Nick Burzumato, who was a member of multiple distinguished honor bands throughout his high school career. Due to his plans to attend JMU and study music education in order to become a band director, he was awarded the Lois Weaver scholarship, which is presented to a senior who plans to further their musical education as a music major.

“It did feel pretty good [to get the scholarship]. I was really hoping to get some money from the boosters, and I’m glad that my application paid off,” Burzumato said.

Burzumato also had the opportunity to perform a senior solo due to his placement into the All Virginia honor band. To close off his four years as a percussionist in the band program, he chose to play Ivan Trevino’s “Anthem” on marimba.

“I’ve always been very drawn to the music of Ivan Trevino. He’s an amazing composer and after meeting him, he’s my true idol. Anthem is a piece I found on YouTube a year and a half ago, and I instantly felt drawn to it and listened to it constantly,” Burzumato said. “I decided way back when I was a junior that if I made All-State my senior year and was given the opportunity to furnish a solo, I would do Anthem.”

The final recognition of this year’s seniors took place with the annual performance of Frank Ticheli’s “Shenandoah”, which is meant to remind them that they will always have a home in the Shenandoah Valley. The piece, which is played by both concert band and symphonic band featured solos by seniors Juan Romero, Leo Lopez, Nick Burzumato and Emily Werner.

“It was pretty surreal. I spent a lot of time staring out over the band and reflecting on the past four years. The solo went well and, honestly, I literally wasn’t thinking about anything but the music ,” Burzumato said. “I know it sounds weird, but I didn’t feel super nostalgic or anything during that part. Once the whole song was over I just felt a firm sense of completeness.”