From Band Director Cameron Everage:
It has been a busy but exciting few days for our high school band students!
Our Solo and Ensemble showcase on Feb. 23 was a great success! Our students handled themselves professionally and performed wonderfully! To have over 20 students volunteer to perform a solo is truly an outstanding indicator of the excellence our program is built around.
On Feb. 26 four of our high school students traveled to Indianapolis to perform in the State Solo and Ensemble competition. Students had to qualify for this event with a gold-rated performance of a very difficult work at our regional competition.
*Annie Faddis received a Silver rating on one of the most difficult saxophone solos I have ever seen (Caprice en Forme de Valse)
* Shyanne Rugg received a Gold rating for her beautiful performance of William Grant Still’s Romance.
*Peyton Vann received a Gold rating with distinction (within 1 point of a perfect score!) for his outstanding performance of the very difficult marimba solo, A Cricket Sang and Set the Sun.
*Ellie Burt received a Gold rating with distinction (within 1 point of a perfect score!) for her performance of Gymnopedie No. 1.
These four students have worked incredibly hard and I cannot be more proud of them. They are a key part of a culture of excellence that should bring pride to our schools. A huge shoutout to Mr. Ian Stokes for helping our two percussionists receive gold ratings with distinction!
On top of all these successes, nine of our students spent Sunday and Monday at Batesville High School with the Southeast Indiana Honor Band. This group was comprised of almost 100 students from 11 local schools. Students learned from 5 different directors and put on a wonderful performance last night. A huge congratulations to our nine participants: Annie Faddis, Maddie Brabant, Shyanne Rugg, Abigail Burt, Peyton Vann, Belle Stucker, Skylar Scudder, Hannah Thomas, and Nate Jones.
I cannot be more proud of our students. They are extremely hardworking and dedicated young people. Their commitment to excellence is inspiring! If you see these students, please congratulate them on their recent success. I look forward to seeing you all at our next concert!
Thank you,
Cameron Everage
