Hamilton High School hosted the North West Montana Band Festival with bands from Hamilton, Stevensville, Polson, and Libby, on Jan. 30 and 31.
Guest directors Danh Pahm and Troy Bennefield, from the Washington State University School of Music, and Stephen Versaevel adjudicated the bands on Monday. The bands then combined into two bands and a percussion ensemble rehearsing music and studying musical concepts. The bands performed a Festival Gala Concert Tuesday evening in the Hamilton High School Performing Arts Center.
The three guest directors guided the student learning at the festival.
Danh Pham is an assistant professor of music and director of bands at WSU, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and serves as the coordinator of instrumental music education within the School of Music and as liaison to the College of Education.
Troy Bennefield is the associate director of bands and director of athletic bands at WSU, where he manages all aspects of the WSU athletic band program, conducts the Symphonic Band, and assists the director of bands with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and graduate conducting.