2019 All State Band

Eastside High School Students Perform in 2019 All State Band
Posted on 05/22/2019
Joseph Bickel and Duncan Jourdan

Newton County School System is pleased to announce that two Eastside High School students—Joseph Bickel and Duncan Jourdan—recently performed in the 2019 All State Band in Athens, Georgia. Both Bickel and Jourdan have been selected to perform in the prestigious statewide band multiple years. 

“Joseph and Duncan are truly remarkable musicians,” said Alan Fowler, band director at Eastside High School. “I have heard football coaches and recruiters talk about this player or that being ‘a generational back’, for instance, and that level of appreciation is true for these two.  Over the years, we have had other amazing students come through The Pride of Eastside band program, and I always enjoy hearing and seeing the terrific things they do after they leave us.  I fully expect we will be hearing tremendous things from these two.” 

According to Fowler, “students from across the state prepare for a first round audition in early December, at which they perform prescribed scales, a prepared etude, and sight reading. Those students who were passed on to the second round auditioned for positions in the Middle and High School All-State Bands and both Joseph and Duncan made the final cut.” 

Fowler noted that participating in All-State band affords students the opportunity to work with some of the best clinicians and composers from across the nation. This year’s guest conductors of the Georgia All State Band included Ms. Paula A. Crider, former director of The University of Texas Longhorn Band and Dr. Sarah McKoin, Director of Bands at Texas Tech University. 

“Selection in the All State Band represents the highest recognition possible for individual student musicians in our state and will most likely result in college scholarship offers when they graduate and apply to the college or university of their choice,” added Fowler. “Students earning a place in this ensemble are also among the most accomplished instrumentalists in our district.” 

“I am extremely proud of Joseph and Duncan,” said Samantha Fuhrey, superintendent of the Newton County School System. “They are both very talented musicians who have represented their school and our school system extremely well.” 

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