District Band

This is my brother, Kieffer, and my best friend, Emily. Kieffer and Emily have spent the past three days at the PMEA District X Honors Band Festival 2015. Auditions for this festival were held in November, after thanksgiving break. A grand total of 77 trumpets, 95 clarinets, 70 alto saxophones and large numbers of other instruments auditioned in hopes of being accepted into this honors festival. I, having been the very first alto saxophone of the day to audition, ended up ranking 20/70. While this may sound optimal to you, it is quite the opposite. While the festival accepts proximately 26 trumpets, 30 clarinets, 24 flutes, and 17 trombones, the only accept 8 alto saxophones. Needless to say, I did not make the cut this year. However, my brother and best friend did. This is Emily’s third consecutive year qualifying on clarinet and my brother’s first year on trumpet. This photo is from their concert tonight. My county had surprisingly good representation this year; having 12 qualified students from local schools. At this festival, they also had to audition for the PMEA Region V festival. Throughout the honors festival, the qualified students will work one on one with a collegiate level guest conductor. This conductor will teach them new techniques and conduct the pieces he has selected for them at the concerts. Emily and Kieffer are having a wonderful time at the PMEA District X Honors Band Festival 2015. Hopefully next year, all three of us can experience PMEA District X Honors Band Festival 2016 together.