Newton County School System (NCSS) was well represented at the recent Georgia Music Educator Association’s 2024 District IV Honor Band as over 27 NCSS middle and high school students were selected to perform in the prestigious event.
“Students earning a place in this ensemble are among the most accomplished instrumentalists in our district,” said Jason Smith, Secondary Music Content Lead for NCSS. “They earned the opportunity to prepare selections for a concert and work with accomplished clinicians from across the country. In addition, they were given the chance to perform alongside students from several other school districts.”
According to Smith, the students auditioned for the District IV Honor Band in December.
“The middle school students were required to play four major scales, their chromatic scale, and an etude,” he explained. “They also had to sight-read a new piece of music. High school freshmen and sophomores had to play eight major scales, their chromatic scales, and a challenging sight-reading. Juniors and seniors performed 12 major scales plus a more challenging etude and sight-reading pieces.”
Smith added that participating in the Honor Band provides students an excellent opportunity to learn and grow as musicians and prepare for college auditions.
NCSS students selected for the 2024 Georgia Music Educators District IV Honor Bands include:
Honor Band Participants
| NAME |
|
SCHOOL |
|
INSTRUMENT |
|
GRADE |
| Deanna Aikens |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Baritone |
|
8 |
| De'Anthony Brown |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Baritone |
|
8 |
| Azaya Foster |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Baritone |
|
8 |
| Brianna Maffett |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Alto Saxophone |
|
8 |
| Elizabeth Mendez |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Flute |
|
8 |
| Micah Osofisan |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Tuba |
|
8 |
| Lauren Parsons |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Trumpet |
|
8 |
| Gabriel Truitt |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Trumpet |
|
8 |
| Skylar Marshall |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
Clarinet |
|
8 |
| Temi Sowole |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
Clarinet |
|
8 |
| Matthew Camba |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
Trumpet |
|
8 |
| Oliver Reid |
|
Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
Horn |
|
8 |
| Topher Camba |
|
Eastside High |
|
Baritone |
|
10 |
| Alex Johnson |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
|
10 |
| Carley Polston |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
|
10 |
| Fernando Potillo |
|
Eastside High |
|
Trombone |
|
10 |
| Katie Ryan |
|
Eastside High |
|
Trumpet |
|
10 |
| Evan Brunner |
|
Newton High |
|
Alto Saxophone |
|
10 |
| Xavier Delphin |
|
Newton High |
|
Trombone |
|
10 |
| Ian White |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
|
11 |
| Victor Kirkland |
|
Newton High |
|
Bassoon |
|
11 |
| Hulet Neely |
|
Newton High |
|
Tenor Saxophone |
|
11 |
| Jaiden Cloud |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Clarinet |
|
12 |
| Jaffet Arrendondo Mendez |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Baritone |
|
12 |
| Kenzie Thompson |
|
Eastside High |
|
Percussion |
|
12 |
| Kai Lewis-Pousada |
|
Newton High |
|
Horn |
|
12 |
| Hailey Quinn |
|
Newton High |
|
Clarinet |
|
12 |