Exeter-Milligan Students Participate in Honor Bands

Jordyn and Trystan Brandt, of Exeter-Milligan High School, have had busy schedules this winter, as they attended several college honor bands.  Jordyn, a Senior flutist, attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln Winter Festival for Winds and Percussion, held Jan. 23- 25, on the UNL campus.  Students attended from several states.  Activities during the festival included: music scholarship auditions, masterclasses with professors, lectures, faculty and student recitals, and chamber ensemble workshops.  On Saturday night, a Festival Banquet was held at the Holiday Inn.  Following the banquet, a chamber ensemble recital was held.  Each festival participant was assigned to play in a quartet or quintet group.  Jordyn performed flute with the top ranked finale ensemble, the Great Plains Woodwind Quintet, which also featured an oboe, a clarinet, a bassoon, and a French Horn.  They were coached by Dr. John Bailey, professor of flute.  Afterwards, a reception was held with the faculty.  The final concert was held, on Sun. Jan. 25, at Kimball Recital Hall.  The conductor was Carolyn Barber, Director of Bands at UNL.  In addition to performing with the Honors Wind Symphony, the high school students also combined with the UNL Wind Ensemble and played together as the Festival Symphonic Band.  Jordyn was honored to hold the first chair, Flute I position.  On Mon. Jan. 26, Jordyn and Trystan traveled to Kearney to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney Honor Band and Choral Festival.  Three choirs and two bands performed during the concert.  Both Jordyn and Trystan performed in the Honor Band which was directed by Dr. David Bierman, Director of Bands at UNK.  Students attended the festival from Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa.   Next, Jordyn and Trystan went to Wayne State College, on Sat. Jan. 31, for the Wayne Festival of Honor Bands.  Three honor groups perfomed during the concert, including a Jr. High Honor Band.  Trystan, a Sophomore,  performed trumpet with the Symphonic Band, directed by Brad Weber, professor at WSC.   Jordyn performed flute with the Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. David Bohnert, Director of Bands at WSC.  Jordyn has been selected to play with this group all four years of high school.  This year, she held the first chair, Flute II position.  The festival also featured a performance by WSC students.  Participants attended the festival from Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota.  Feb. 5-7, Jordyn attended the Hastings College Honor Band Festival.  Participants had the opportunity to take part in masterclasses with professors, meet with faculty, and attend faculty and student recitals.  The concert included performances by the Honor Choir, Honor Orchestra, and Honor Band.  The Honor Band was conducted by Dr. Michael Knight, professor at St. Norbert College in DePere, WI.  Jordyn was honored to hold the first chair, Flute I position.  Finally, Jordyn attended the Nebraska Wesleyan University Honors Festival, Feb. 12-14.  Jordyn was chosen to also perform on piccolo.  Participants had the opportunity to audition for music scholarships and attend a luncheon and a reception with faculty.  The concert included performances by the Honor Choir, Honor Orchestra, and Honor Band.  The Honor Band was conducted by Dr. Jermie Arnold, professor at the Bob Cole Conservatory in Long Beach, CA.  Students attended from Nebraska and Iowa.  Participants for all of the honor festivals were selected by recorded auditions.

Congratulations to the Class D All-State band members: Jordyn Brandt, Alexis Uldrich, Ella Wilkins, Kaitlyn Vavra, Ashley Benorden, Amber Pribyl, Trystan Brandt, Haylee Sheffield, Samantha Horne, Maitlyn Thomsen, and Patrick Murphy.

Congratulations to the band members who were selected to the CRC Honor Band!  They are:  Jordyn Brandt, Ella Wilkins, Alexis Uldrich, Ashley Benorden, Kaitlyn Vavra, Madison Horne, Katherine White, Hannah Horne, Trystan Brandt, Amber Pribyl, Trever Zelenka, Caitlin Murphy, Haylee Sheffield, Samantha Horne, Maitlyn Thomsen, Nick Hayek, Patrick Murphy, Joel Klemm, Jack Dinneen, and Janey Due.