March is recognized nationwide as Music In Our Schools Month, a time to celebrate the impact of music education and the dedication of student musicians. Carroll County High School band students recently demonstrated that dedication by earning strong results at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Solo and Ensemble Festival.
According to band director Eric Allen, the students’ success reflects months of individual effort.
“These students were guided in selecting appropriate music to prepare back in November and since then they have worked on their own outside of school on this independent project. These results are a true reflection of what these individuals have put into their own learning. I am so proud of them!”
Students earning distinguished ratings included Daisy Laguna Lopez (flute solo), Said Magana Diaz (flute solo), Andrew Wallace (oboe solo), Savannah Romans (clarinet solo), Jewleena Taylor (clarinet solo), Amaya Owen (bass clarinet solo), David Zeitz (tenor saxophone solo), Billy Burgess (trombone solo and bass trombone solo), Clayton Adams (euphonium solo), Troy Jackson (euphonium solo), Kevin Zuniga Harrizon (euphonium solo) and a trumpet duet by Shelby Hillebrandt and Lydia Risk.
Students receiving proficient ratings included Brett Lark (saxophone solo), Shelby Hillebrandt (trumpet solo) and Lydia Risk (trumpet solo).
Preparing for the festival requires students to practice independently and develop their own approach to learning the music. Many begin by sight reading their pieces to narrow down their options.
“I sight read on the first day then came back to it,” said Kevin Zuniga Harrizon. “I didn’t lose a lot of progress. Sight reading helped a lot with it.”
David Zeitz said slowing the music down is one of the most helpful practice techniques. “Mr. Allen usually tells us to find the tempo the piece is supposed to be played at and slow it down a lot to where it’s almost uncomfortable,” Zeitz said. “If you can play it slow you can play it fast. Playing it slow also gives you a chance to help listen to the notes, whether they’re in tune or not.”
While most students performed solos, Shelby Hillebrandt and Lydia Risk worked together on a trumpet duet. Hillebrandt said the piece required careful listening and teamwork.
“We spent a lot of time listening to each other and learning each other’s style,” Hillebrandt said. “We did a lot of listening and it was a lot of work, but we just played it over and over and got some help from different kinds of people.”
Students say band is rewarding not only because of recognition but because of the relationships built through music.
“While we’re playing the music I just feel joy,” Hillebrandt said. “That’s the fun part, being able to make music with your friends. It’s rewarding not only because we get rewards but because we get to do it every day.”
Jewleena Taylor said the shared experience brings band members closer together. “Band connects people a lot and gives us a way to share that experience.”