Talented student-musicians at Canyons District middle schools are readying to harmonize in ways they never have before.

More than 200 sixth- through eighth-grade students have been selected, either by audition or their A-grade classroom participation, to sing or play instruments at the prestigious Canyons District Middle school Honors Music Festival. 

“This is the best of the best in the District — and we all get to come together to play some of the more complicated songs to perform for everyone and show off what we got,” said Mount Jordan Middle seventh-grader Emery Derrick, who is playing the oboe in the honors band.

Students chosen for the all-District honors choir, band or orchestra are provided the music a few weeks ahead of the concert. Beyond the time they dedicate to their regular schoolwork, those groups spend hours practicing alone and as a group before joining  their peers from all eight middle schools at the all-District festival.                   

“They get to play a higher-level repertoire and learn even more music than they normally do,” says Chloe Wright, band, choir, and orchestra director at Eastmont Middle. “It’s just a really cool experience for the kids to be able to see there is more happening outside of their school and there are other kids who enjoy what they’re doing.”

Each group will perform several pieces at a variety of tempos at a concert for their families and friends.  

“I’m excited to feel and hear what it sounds like with all of the other instruments,” says Angel Alvarez, a seventh-grade trumpet player at Mount Jordan, “and to see what our parents and people at the schools think of our performance.”

Teachers, instructional coaches, and guest conductors have been working to show the students that performances like these are bigger than a single night.

“These events often become the moments that keep students excited about not only music for years to come but keep them excited for education and being a life-long learner,” says J. P. Kentros, Arts Specialist for Canyons District. “Through music, students collaborate, listen deeply, take creative risks, persist through challenges, and learn to express themselves with confidence. These aren’t just artistic skills—they’re essential life and academic skills.”

The District Honors Music Festival will be Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. The performance will be shown live on CSDtv.