On November 1 the results of the excerpts (slips of music) for the three concert bands were hung on the walls around the band room. Students audition to be placed in one of the three bands. Wind Ensemble is the highest ranking band, then there’s Symphonic Band followed by Concert Band.

Kevin Cottrill, band director, gave students two slips of music from Indiana Bandmasters Association for their audition. Students rehearsed slips for two weeks. After the two weeks were up, all the students record themselves playing the slips of music and send it to Cottrill. If band members wanted to audition for the Wind Ensemble then they needed to play a third slip of music.

Most students worked really hard on their excerpts over fall break and tried to do their best. Junior trumpet player Samuel Schmidt took advantage of the fall break so that when he turned in his excerpts he was content. For his sophomore year, Schmidt got first chair and was hoping to do the same this year. Schmidt said he was “very excited” when he learned that he got first chair in Wind Ensemble. “I like the music of concert band better because it gives band members more of a challenge and allows for more growth as a musician to take place,” Schmidt said. When he got the music for this year he was very pleased.

The three concert bands are getting ready to perform a Christmas concert on December 7th. One of the songs that the Wind Ensemble will be playing will also be sung by the choir, the famous song“White Christmas”. Most of the students from the band will also be participating in the singing of this song. The band is really excited to perform a song with the choir. Tickets are on sale for $5.00 at the door.