Eight 8th grade students participated in the all-region middle school band auditions last Friday, December 3rd. The contest included over 20 middle school feeders of 1a, 2a and 3a high schools. All participants were given the same audition pieces (a slow etude, a fast etude, and five scales) and were required to perform sections from their music for a panel of 5 judges.

Out of the 104 trumpets, Maddy Washington placed as the 6th alternate and 25th overall while Jacob Witte earned a chair in the band by placing 15th. Kelsey Nelson managed to place 21st overall of the 64 trombones, despite her instrument malfunction, and just missed making the band by six chairs.

Of the 56 percussionists, Whitney Wolaver placed 11th overall and will stand as the section’s alternate, should one of the top ten miss the concert, and Alex Minton-Felder earned a 9th chair spot in the band.

And if that wasn’t impressive enough, the Italy upper woodwinds shattered hopes of 1st chair and induced tears among other competitors with a dominating display of superiority. Alexis Sampley earned the 1st chair spot in the oboe section and out of the 80 flutes competing, also earned the 1st chair spot in the flute section. Not far behind was Kortnei Johnson who placed 3rd in the flute section. Trevor Davis bested the 85 clarinets and earned that section’s prestigious 1st chair spot.

Congratulations to these outstanding students for representing Italy in such a remarkable way. These students will perform with the region band on Saturday, January 22nd at Groesbeck High School.

Best of luck to the Gladiator Band members at the Central Texas Honor Band auditions next month.