NEWSLETTER
Newsletters & News
All 4 UCS Bands are superior
Congratulations to the members of the 2022-23 Wind Ensemble!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022-23 SECTION LEADERS
March 29, 2022
A huge congratulations to the UHS Chieftain Jazz Band for their Division 1 Performance at the State Band Festival at Eisenhower High School!
Ten Utica Community Schools students will have the opportunity to further their musical experiences, thanks to the return this year of BandARama.
The students were each selected for $500 awards through the Louis Gonda Memorial scholarship.
The funds were raised primarily through Band-A-Rama – a unique gathering of all high school bands where they perform their half-time performances before a packed stadium of supporters.
“We appreciate the support of our community to provide our students with every opportunity to further their skills,” said Eisenhower Band Teacher Jonathan Carrothers. “These scholarships will give each of our students the opportunity to attend music camps, take private lessons or otherwise enrich their music study.”
Scholarship recipients this year are:
Christian Bush – Eisenhower High School
Sophia Dobbie – Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies
Jessica Glidden – Henry Ford II High School
Matt Hardin – Utica High School
Erica Holmberg – Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies
Grant Levin – Utica High School
Ashlynn Pennazoli – Stevenson High School
Riley Sauger – Eisenhower High School
Maia Suggs- Utica High School
Dillion Warner - Stevenson High School
Students are awarded the scholarships after an audition with outside adjudicator. The students were selected based on Tone, Intonation, Rhythm, Technique, and Interpretation.
Since its inception, the Louis Gonda Fund has enabled hundreds of UCS students to further their musical education.Gonda was the first music teacher at Utica High School in the 1950s, prior to the opening of the district's remaining high schools.
UCS band students are under the direction of Brett Bays, Utica High School; Jonathan Carrothers, of Eisenhower High School; Gaye Hofer, of the Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies; and Matt Schoenherr, of Henry Ford II High School; and Michael Sekich, of Stevenson High School.
March 12, 2022
A huge congratulations to the UHS ChieftainSymphonic Band and Wind Ensemble for their Division 1 Performances at Band Festival on March 12 at Anchor Bay High School. Exceptional performance by both bands!
Feb. 15, 2022
Andy Lasceski being honored by the UCS Board of Education for his incredible record in Utica Bands and for being a state honor band member five times in six years! Incredible job!
Jan. 28, 2022
Check out this story about sophomore Matt Hardin and his band. Matt was also awarded Best Soloist honors at CMU Jazz Weekend.
Feb. 11, 2022 - CMU Jazz Weekend
An absolutely AMAZING day at CMU Jazz Weekend for the Chieftains! The festival gives out 9 awards in each band classification (AA, A, B, C, D) based on school population size (we are Class AA). The awards are Best Soloist then 1st & 2nd Runner Up, and then same for Best Section, and Best Band.
In our school’s history, UHS has won one trophy - 1991 1st Runner Up Best Soloist (I was in 10th grade and no, I did not win the trophy ).
Today, our Trombone Section won 2nd Runner Up Best Section, and Sophomore Drummer Matt Hardin won Best Soloist!! So happy for, and proud of, our students!! It’s a good day to be a Chieftain!!
-Mr. Bays
December 9, 2021 - UHS ARROW - Band of the Year
Jan. 10, 2022 - UCS Website - UHS student musician earns consistent recognition as one of Michigan's best
December 21, 2021 - Macomb Daily
November 15, 2021 - Macomb Daily
November 21, 2021 - Macomb Daily
City to Host Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
November 20, 2021 Macomb Daily
October 2021
Congratulations to the UHS Chieftain Marching Band on their spectacular, all A's, Division 1 rating at the MSBOA Marching Band Festival! They were adjudicated by a panel of three judges in the categories of Marching, Music, and General Effect, and received a First Division rating from each judge.
June 2021
Congratulations to the 2021-22 Wind Ensemble Members!
Congratulations to the 2021 Marching Band Section Leaders!
May 2021
Excited to announce that Lila Sapiano and Emma Phillips will be joining Senior Drum Majors Nathan Eichmann and Sofia Ricciuti in leading the 2021-2022 Utica High School Marching Band under the direction of Mr. Brett Bays.
Not only do Lila and Emma bring strength in spirit and skill of their own to the position, but they are also the younger sisters of Class of 2020 Drum Majors Gina Sapiano and Katie Phillips. Legacy talent extraordinaire will shine on at UHSMB.