Cragin band in the spotlight
Congratulations to the Cragin Elementary School Fifth Grade Beginning Band who received a Superior rating (the highest possible rating ) at the Arizona Music Educators Association Elementary/Junior High School Solo and Ensemble Festival on February 16, 2008 at Pima College West Campus. This is the first time that a beginning elementary band from TUSD has ever attended this festival.
The students, who began playing their band instruments in September 2007, performed two full-length band pieces: “Eagle Summit March” by John O-Reilly and Mark Williams, and “Slip and Slide” by Ralph Ford which featured the trombone section with fun glissandos.
The Cragin Band performed for a full house of family and friends. Adjudicator Karin Nolan wrote “Wow! Big sound. Great constrasts in dynamics, especially in the second song. Strong group!”
The Cragin Band is led by Shirley Maddox, a music educator, graduate of the University of Arizona, who been teaching band for 20 years in the Tucson Unified School District, the last nine years teaching at five mid-town elementary schools. Shirley has been instrumental at developing the OMA instrumental program and is regarded as a master music specialist in TUSD.

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