District IV Honor Band 2019

NCSS Students Participate in 2019 GMEA District IV Honor Band
Posted on 02/20/2019
Georgia Music Educator Association LogoNewton 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]