On February 14, the Hillcrest Symphonic Band traveled to Batavia High School to participate in the Batavia Band Festival. Hosted at Batavia High School in Batavia, Illinois, the festival allows bands not only to perform prepared pieces but also to work directly with an experienced clinician who offers critique and instruction to help students improve musically. The event provided Hillcrest musicians with valuable performance experience and immediate, hands-on feedback from a professional in the field.
The trip began with an hour and 15-minute bus ride, the longest part of the day. Upon arriving at the school, the students had only about 40 minutes before taking the stage, a tight turnaround considering they needed to unload instruments, warm up, and find the stage in which they would perform. Although Batavia is considered a small town, the high school campus was strikingly large, complete with its own water tower reading “Home of the Bulldogs.” The scale of the school and the structured schedule of the festival made the event feel both exciting and high stakes.
Hillcrest performed three pieces: “Amparito Roca,” “Through Purple Mists Ascending,” and “Harry at Hogwarts.” Each selection highlighted different aspects of the ensemble’s ability, from strong brass fanfares to lyrical woodwind passages and dynamic contrasts. Following the performance, the band participated in a clinic session led by an experienced musician, who worked directly with the students on tone quality and balance. During the clinic, the clinician emphasized improving blend between sections and maintaining consistent dynamics during softer passages. Students were asked to replay certain sections while adjusting articulation and phrasing, allowing them to hear immediate improvements.
In addition to documenting the performance through photography, I spoke with several students and the band director about their experience. Many students shared that they felt nervous due to the short preparation time but were proud of how they performed under pressure. The band director noted that festivals like this are important because they expose students to outside critique and push them to grow beyond rehearsals at home.
Here are some actual words from some of the students and the band director that I interviewed:
On a personal note, as a photographer, this event also marked a meaningful moment for me. While I am not as involved in music as I once was, capturing the concentration, emotion, and teamwork of the ensemble reminded me why these performances matter. Through my lens, I was able to document the dedication, resilience, and school pride, moments that will now live on in photographs.
