Cheney Bands Just Keep Winning And Winning

The band program at Cheney High School has done some fantastic things this year. For just a small AA school, this band rocks the house in every competition it goes to.

For starters, the Jazz Ensemble 1 has twice won the sweepstakes title (or best overall) at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Cheney also has won sweepstakes three times at both the Columbia Basin College and Bellevue jazz festivals in the last four years.

Their biggest win this year was in April when they competed at the Reno International Jazz Festival. Jazz 1 beat 115 other bands from eight different states to take the sweepstakes.

The jazz program has become so popular it’s expanded to three bands. The accomplishments don’t end there, however. Several weeks ago, the marching band entertained young and old at the Lilac Parade. The judges must have been impressed with their performance, because Cheney took best in its division. Also, the wind ensemble got one of the highest ratings at a recent concert band festival.

So how do they do it? How can this small school rise in the last six years to be one of the best programs in the state? Many of the students would give full credit to their band director, Terry Lack. He has done wonders for the program since he arrived six years ago.

He expects his students to work hard and do their best at the events. All the hard work has paid off. The band room is lined with trophies and plaques. Lack has instilled the value of hard work and has shared his obvious love of music with his students.

But can a band director make a winning band alone? Of course not. The students show their commitment to the music program every time they step on stage in distinguished black tuxedos or when they march down the street holding their heads high.

These musicians dedicate a lot of time to the band, but you won’t hear any complaints. They realize its merits in the end when they proudly bring home yet another trophy. Six students from the band program were chosen to participate in the All Northwest Symphonic Band and one student was chosen to play in the All Northwest Jazz Band. This is a great achievement for them because they had to compete against all six Northwestern states for these honors.

Also, Cheney was represented at the Washington State Solo Contest in four different instruments. These individual accomplishments are almost unheard of in any school the size of Cheney High.

Dedication and perspiration have proven an award-winning recipe for this band. The Cheney program has much to be praised for. It has accomplished things that others only dream about.