Olney Sixth Grade Band Succeeds At Festival
Students from the Olney Junior High Sixth Grade Band traveled to Brownwood, Texas on April 11 to compete in the Howard Payne University Band Festival.
Students received straight “1’s” from the three concert judges, earning a “superior performance” trophy.
Dr. Rodney Bennett, Director of Bands for OISD, conducted the concert performance.
Concert selections were “Freedom March” by Dennis Eveland, “Qin Shi’s Stone Army ” by Tyler Arcari, and “Stormchasing” by William Owens.
Upon completion of the concert portion, students performed solos and ensembles. Forty-one superior performance gold medals were earned, as well as four silver medals for excellent ratings.
Students receiving gold medals were Sofia Parades and Isabella Rodriguez – flute solos, Elaina Ray and Caroline Stewart – oboe, Harper Watson - bassoon, Audrinna Gray, Hadley Henderson, Melissa Melchor –soprano clarinet, and Kameron Betts – alto saxophone.
Brass players receiving medals for superior performance were Jackson Dinwiddie, Clayton Guthrie, Lilly Harrison, Santiago Hernandez, Adrian Manqueros, Nevaeh Murphy, and West Stephens – trumpet.
Low brass players receiving first divisions in solo performance included Itzel Castillo – trombone, Kody Norman, Wyatt Stephens, and Marilyn Villagran – euphonium.
Brodie Dyer received a gold medal for his tuba solo.
Percussionists receiving gold medals in solo performance were Christopher McElroy, Chloe McPhie, Paxton Pittman, Carleigh Symank, and Denalee Wales – snare drum. Janie Sykora received a “1” on her bell solo.
Students performing solos and receiving an excellent rating were Alison Santibanez – flute, Daren Maldonado – trumpet, Jacob Morcum and Cooper Tate – trombone.
Bentley Freeman and Armando Lira, trumpet, received fair ratings.
Ensembles receiving first-division gold medals were the woodwind trio of Isabella Rodriguez, Caroline Stewart, and Harper Watson, Percussion Trio #1 of Christopher McElroy, Chloe McPhie, and Denalee Wales, and Percussion Trio #2 which included Paxton Pittman, Janie Sykora, and Carleigh Symank.
Mixed quintet composed of Itzel Castillo (trombone), Brodie Dyer (tuba), Sophia Parades (flute), Elaina Ray (oboe), and Alison Santibanez also received gold medals for their performance.