Newton County School System (NCSS) was well represented at the recent Georgia Music Educator Association’s 2019 District IV Honor Band as over 30 NCSS middle and high school students were selected to perform in the prestigious event on February 8-9.
“Students earning a place in this ensemble are among the most accomplished instrumentalists in our district,” said Eastside High School band director Alan Fowler. “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 DeKalb, Rockdale, Morgan, and Jasper county schools, Decatur City Schools and several private schools.”
According to Fowler, 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,” Fowler 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.”
Fowler added that participating in the Honor Band provides students an excellent opportunity to learn and grow as musicians.
“First, I believe any time students are able to perform for an appreciative crowd there is great benefit,” said Fowler. “But beyond that, participating in the honor band audition process is a tremendously valuable experience and actually playing in an honor band allows students to sit next to, learn with, and perform alongside other fine musicians from across the district. Working with other directors besides their own affords students the opportunity to learn from folks who may say things differently and have other approaches to directing than their own directors. When kids go back to their home school, what they can share is priceless and helps their peers at home improve. Honor bands are a long and valued tradition around the globe.”
NCSS students selected for the 2019 Georgia Music Educators District IV Honor Bands include:
Honor Band Participants and Instruments; This is Alt Text
| Name |
|
School |
|
Instrument |
| Aeryn Barrentine |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Oboe |
| Sam Dage |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Clarinet |
| Kayla Edwards |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Tenor Sax |
| Taylor Stevens |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Euphonium |
| Daniel Dunn |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Trumpet |
| Annslee Dunn |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Trombone |
| Christian Chasse |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Trombone |
| Justin Banks |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Trombone |
| Theo Davis |
|
Alcovy High |
|
Clarinet Alternate |
| Rafael Soria |
|
Eastside High |
|
Flute |
| Justice Nicholson |
|
Eastside High |
|
Flute |
| Taylor Nealy |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
| Jose Portillo |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
| Sean Yancey |
|
Eastside High |
|
Bass Clarinet |
| Austin O'Brien |
|
Eastside High |
|
Percussion |
| Duncan Jourdan |
|
Eastside High |
|
Clarinet |
| Jonathan Sugg |
|
Eastside High |
|
Horn |
| Joseph Bickel |
|
Eastside High |
|
Euphonium |
| Van Nipper |
|
Eastside High |
|
Oboe Alternate |
| Brent Singleton |
|
Eastside High |
|
Horn Alternate |
| Jordan Hill |
|
Newton High |
|
Percussion |
| Karina Carillo |
|
Newton High |
|
Trumpet |
| Julia Kolt |
|
Newton High |
|
Horn |
| Isaiah Dawson |
|
Newton High |
|
Trumpet Alternate |
| Ariyah Dawson |
|
Cousins Middle |
|
Clarinet |
| Zoey Forbes |
|
Cousins Middle |
|
Euphonium |
| Rylan Hany |
|
Cousins Middle |
|
Clarinet |
| Dakota Cooper |
|
Indian Creek Middle |
|
Clarinet |
| Ja'Briel Anderson |
|
Liberty Middle |
|
Tuba |
| Justin Doepke |
|
Newton County Theme |
|
Trombone |
| Kenneth Fray |
|
Newton County Theme |
|
Clarinet |
| Nathan Walsh |
|
Newton County Theme |
|
Percussion |
For more information, contact Ms. Sherri Davis, director of public relations for Newton County Schools, at
[email protected].