Fourteen Wakefield Trojan band members attended the Lewis & Clark Conference Honor Band at Northeast Community College’s Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk on Saturday.
The Trojan members joined a freshman/sophomore group of 52 students and the junior/senior members played with a total group of 67.
Wakefield instrumental music instructor Esly Ovando said “My band students are used to more of a smaller band so it is a unique opportunity for them to work on more challenging massive band songs and to hear other instruments that they probably have never seen such as an upright bass or a bassoon. I am very proud of all of the students, not only are they talented but they are so respectful and represent our school well. I hope to have more students in the honor band next year.”
Students participated in the all-day event by arriving early to begin practicing with their band directors and the two special guest Clinicians: Brad Weber of Wayne State College, 9/10 band director; and Dr. Kevin McLouth of Northeast Community College, 11/12 band director.
“It was a long day,” said Ovando, “but it was a great day full of music.”
There were individual medals given to students, and group trophies from the Lewis and then the Clark Division for the communities that had the largest audience participation.
Ponca was awarded the Lewis Division audience trophy, and Bloomfield won the Clark Division trophy.
Individual musicians that won awards were:
Gaby Arriaza, clarinet
Ashlyn Boeckenhauer, clarinet, and
Rachael Nuernberger, trumpet.
Musical selections by band:
9/10 Band
“Armory” – Randall Standridge
“Tap Out” – Carl Strommen
“Snake Charmer” – Randall Strandridge
11/12 Band
“Amparito Roca” – J. Taxidor/Faga
“In Heaven’s Air” – Samuel Hazo
“Shipwrecked” - Ryan Nowlin
“John Williams In Concert” – Arr. Lavendar