Newton County School System (NCSS) was well represented at the recent Georgia Music Educator Association’s 2023 District IV Honor Band as over 25 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 Newton High School band director Jason Smith. “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,” Smith 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. “I always encourage students to audition for District Honor Band and All-State because it mirrors the audition process for a band scholarship. I tell me students the first time you do an audition should not be when you have thousands of dollars on the line. Get used to the process so you are more comfortable in an audition when it matters the most.”
NCSS students selected for the 2023 Georgia Music Educators District IV Honor Bands include:
District IV Honor Band Participants
| NAME |
|
SCHOOL |
|
INSTRUMENT |
|
GRADE |
| Nylah King |
|
Clements Middle |
|
Trumpet |
|
8 |
| Jimmy Thomas |
|
Indian Creek Middle |
|
Tuba |
|
8 |
| Lauren Parson |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Trumpet |
|
7 |
| Gabriel Truitt |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Trumpet |
|
7 |
| Deanna Aikens |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Baritone |
|
7 |
| Chloe Blackwood |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Trumpet |
|
8 |
| Madeline Malone |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Clarinet |
|
8 |
| Oliver Reid |
|
Newton County Theme School |
|
French Horn |
|
7 |
| Temi Sowole |
|
Newton County Theme School |
|
Clarinet |
|
7 |
| Will Pope |
|
Newton County Theme School |
|
Alto Saxophone |
|
8 |
| Viksar Vittal |
|
Newton County Theme School |
|
Flute |
|
8 |
| Yakari Bryant |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Alto and Tenor Saxophone |
|
10 |
| Ayden Lipscomb |
|
Alcovy High |
|
ALto Saxophone |
|
10 |
| Darius Gowans |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Trumpet |
|
9 |
| Diamond Weaver |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Trombone |
|
12 |
| Ausjah Willis |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Baritone |
|
12 |
| Ian White |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
|
10 |
| Callum Cates |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
|
10 |
| Anyah Dawson |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
|
12 |
| Kenneth Fray |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
|
12 |
| Dakota Cooper |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
|
12 |
| Evan Brunner |
|
Newton High |
|
Alto Saxophone |
|
9 |
| Xavier Delphin |
|
Newton High |
|
Trombone |
|
9 |
| Hulet Neely |
|
Newton High |
|
Tenor Saxophone |
|
10 |
| Ja'Briel Anderson |
|
Newton High |
|
Tuba |
|
12 |
| Justin Doepke |
|
Newton High |
|
Trombone |
|
12 |