Page Kimzey
Audio Editor
Twelve band students attended the All State conference under the instruction of band teacher Jamie Burchett to audition for the two All-State bands on Dec 3; six won awards.
“The Missouri Bandmasters Association holds annual auditions for the All-State Concert and Jazz Bands. Students who audition and are selected for the All-State Band perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference and work with nationally recognized conductors and musicians. The All-State Bands are made up of 100+ students representing the elite student musicians in the state,” Burchett said.
Of the 12 WGHS representatives, half won awards and two were given the opportunity to join the All-State Jazz bands.
The award winning students were junior Myah Frank, sophomore Nita Isom, sophomore Hank Miller, junior Jack Snelling, senior Ben Keller and senior Bennett Durando.
Keller and Miller were selected to perform in the All-State Jazz Band.
“This is my second time getting an award on piano. Last year, I got honorable mention; this year I got alternate. This is my first time getting an award for tenor saxophone (honorable mention),” Snelling said.
These students practice and perform outside of school with private lessons as well as jazz and marching bands.
The All-State competition is open to any musician from any Missouri school to compete for spots in the All-State bands. This is a good form of musical competition for students, so they will be able to meet and get involved with other musicians who share the same interests and goals as them outside of their usual circle of people.
Some students hope to do something with music in the future.
“I play clarinet and have played it for six and a half years. I do want to continue on with music after high school and am considering minoring or double majoring in music,” Isom said.
“My dream job is to be a composer for film scores or professional jazz bands,” Snelling said.
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