Student Showcase

October 2023

Spanish Class goes to the zoo:

Student Created Displays in the Library:

 

2021

 

November 2021

The audition results for 2021 All-State Band are released.  The All-State Band participation is one of the highest honors for high school band students in Alaksa.  Steller will very well be represented by these highly accomplished musicians:

Bjorn V, sophomore, bass clarinet

Johnathen J, senior, tuba

Griffin L, senior, French horn

Xavier L, senior, bassoon

Kamyrn Ls, sophomore, flute

Furthermore, Griffin and Xavier are also accepted to play for the All-State Orchestra.  

“This is by far the best year for Steller Band program, as far as the student achievements are concerned, ” said Mr. Toba, the band director.  “Kamryn and Johnathen are alternates, which is still great because of the level of competitions for the auditions.  Bjorn, Griffin, and Xavier earned the regular chairs.  I just don’t know how to express my feeling now.  These students did an exceptional job not only for themselves but also for the entire Steller Community,” said Mr Toba, Steller Band Teacher.

The All-State ensembles will rehearse from Thursday, November 18 through Saturday, the 20th, at Chugiak High School.  The gala concert will be held on Saturday, November 20, at West High School.  The admissions will be 10 dollars for adults, 5 dollars for students.  Public is invited.

Submitted by Mr Toba

Well done to all the the Steller Students. We are all very proud of you. Thank you Mr Toba for your dedication to our student’s success and sharing this wonderful news with us.

Steller Parent Group

October 2021

Please congratulate both Samantha A and Alana P for being selected for the YWCA Alaska Young People of Achievement Award 2021.  “They are deserving of this award for the leadership and service they provide to our community, which aligns with the mission of YWCA Alaska; to eliminate racism, empower women and girls, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”  

Samantha and Alana will be participating in a virtual conference the week of November 1-5th.  If you have an opportunity to congratulate them please do.  

Well done to both of you girls! We are proud of you. 

 

October 4, 2021

Congratulations, Ishmael and Marley!

Steller band students, Ishamel B. on alto saxophone and Marley M. on flute have been accepted to the ASD Middle School Honor Band (formerly known as JYSBO).  Ismael and Marley attained the membership through competitive live auditions.  “Ishmael and Marley put extra effort in to the audition etudes, and I am so proud of their achievement, ” said Mr. Toba, the band director.  “I am positive that these students will enjoy and learn a lot from the honor band.”  The Middle School Honor Band will meet on Mondays from October through March at Bartlett High School. The honor band will have three public concerts as well.

Well done Marley and Ishamel! The whole Steller Community is proud of you!

From Mr. Toba

 May 13, 2021

Steller Band Students Won the Command Performance

Xavier L on bassoon and Griffin L on French horn won the Command Performance Awards for 2021 Alaska State Solo/Ensemble Festival.  Earning the honor is one of the most difficult tasks for high school musicians in state. 

” I can’t find a way to express my feeling now for Xavier and Griffin”, said Mr. Toba, the band director.  “Despite the fact we are under the pandemic, these highly motivated students did much more than they were expected.  I am very, very proud of the boys.”

Because of the COVID, there will be no actual Command Performance, but Xavier and Griffin will receive certificates and pins.  

Well done to both of you Xavier and Griffin! And thank you to Mr Toba for your dedication to our students. 

May 4, 2021

Five high school students and four middle school students entered solo/ensemble adjudications.  The results are utterly amazing:

High School

  • Arnan Anthony, trumpet – excellent
  • Johnathen Jencks, tuba – superior
  • Xavier Libbrecht, bassoon – superior
  • Griffin Lindsday, French horn – superior
  • Bjorn Van der Goore, bass clarinet – superior

Middle School

  • Shepherd Brown, alto saxophone, superior
  • Zane Hopewell, baritone – superior
  • Marley McDonagh, flute – superior
  • Riley Strodtbeck, clarinet – excellent

The high school students who earned the superior ratings will advance to the ASAA State Solo/Ensemble Festival.  It will be virtual.

This school year has been challenging for band, but I am so proud of these students who spent extra time preparing,” said Mr. Toba, the band director.  “I would like to congratulate all of the students for their accomplishment.  I wish the best of luck for state for state-bound students as well.

Nobuo Toba

Band Teacher

December 2020,

Congratulations, Xavier!

Steller Band student, Xavier L on bassoon, has been selected to participate in the 2020 Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) All-State Band.  Acceptance to the All-State Band is among highest honors that high school band students in Alaska may achieve.  He even earned the first chair in the bassoon section. 

“Xavier has been practicing regularly and very wisely, despite the fact that band does not have actual ensemble rehearsals, due to the COVID-19,” said Mr. Toba.  “I am super proud of his accomplishment.  The Steller Community has been long waiting for this wonderful news to arrive.” 

The All-State Band will not have in-person events this year, but Xavier will still receive the certificate of achievement from the ASAA.

Nobuo Toba

Band Teacher

Congratulations from all of us at Steller! Well done. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

January 27, 2021

Steller Band Sends Two Students to Prestigious Honor Groups

More great news for Steller Community came out last night!

Steller band students, Xavier Libbrecht on bassoon ,and Kamryn Lyons on flute, have been accepted to the 2021 All-Northwest Honor Ensembles.  Kamryn made the Wind Symphony, which is an honor band for small schools in the Pacific Northwest Region.  Xavier even earned a chair in two honor ensembles:  The Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony.  This is his second time being accepted. 

The Symphony Orchestra auditions are open to all schools in the Pacific Northwest Region.  The audition process for all of the All-Northwest Honor Ensembles is rigorous and competitive. “I am super duper delighted that Xavier and Kamryn made the All-Northwest”, said Mr. Toba, the band director, “attaining a spot is a pinnacle for high school students in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.  The hard work and dedication that Xavier and Kamryn have put paid a huge dividend. I just can not be more proud of these highly motivated students.”  Because of the COVID pandemic, there will be no rehearsals or concerts for the All-Northwest Honor Ensembles.  However, the students will still receive certificates.

Submitted by Mr Toba

Congratulations Kamryn and Xavier, the whole school is very proud of both of you!

February 13, 2021

Steller would like to celebrate our students who have been selected to participate in the Anchorage School District’s Youth Art Month show. The following Artists and their pieces were selected to represent Steller:

Submitted by Phillip 

Congratulations to each of our Steller artists! You deserve to be recognized for your beautiful work.