Georgia Music Educators Association District 2 Honor Band auditions have been held and numerous youth musicians from Thomas County Central High School made the cut.
The school’s bands program has 47 members who successfully auditioned for inclusion in either 9th-10th grades concert or 11th-12th grades symphonic honor bands (see box). Seven students earned first chair positions. Five students auditioned on two instruments and gained positions with both, meaning they got to choose which one to perform on during DHB.
“All of our musicians learned and bettered themselves by competing in the district honor band auditions,” program director Michael Thomas said. “TCCHS' success rate was an amazing 98 percent. I am very pleased for our musicians and their efforts.”
Bari-saxophone player Isaiah Manning said he has auditioned for DHB for years in order to become a better musician. He made symphonic band for the first time. He practiced a lot at home and got help from teachers and mentors.
“It is an honor to be able to make it to district and on to the second round,” Manning said. “This means so much to get this far considering I didn't make it for the past three years.”
Olivia Osgatharp says music has become her passion. Though she didn’t have much free time, Osgatharp said she poured her heart into the time she did have to prepare for her audition.
“I'm ecstatic that I paced first chair, and it shows me that what I put my mind to I can accomplish…,” the trombone player said. “I'm most looking forward to meeting the directors and learning the music pieces we play. It helps me as a musician to be given such a short time to put together a show and perform it.”
Twenty-nine TCCHS musicians scored high enough to earn the opportunity to continue to the next round of auditions toward GEMA All State Honor Band. These will be held in January. From these results, GEMA All South Region Honor Band will be determined.
TCCHS District 2 Honor Band Members
SYMPHONIC BAND
Flutes
*Bret Hendericks
*Celia Kornegay
*Michaela Gandy
*Hailey Kiser
*Mary Beth Wise
Bassoon
*Eric Webb
Clarinet
*Isabel Merritt
Chelsey Lawler
Kennedy Ward
Thomas Tran
Ann Guo
Bass Clarinet
Hailee Wilder
Alto Saxophones
Will Baillargeon
Tenor Saxophones
*Doren Barrientes
Bari-Saxophones
*Isaiah Manning
Horns
*Emily Owens
*Alyxus McCardle
*Zach Sharpe
Trumpets
Sierra Stephens
Kasey Bradley
Liam McGuire
Trombones
*Olivia Osgatharp
*Caleb Moore
*William Bufford
*Michael Moody
*JHarre Bush
Baritones
*Michelle Cumbest
Tubas
Jesse Nieves
Percussion
Hailey Silvia
Katie Kiser
CONCERT BAND
Flutes
*Caitlyn Atkinson
Clarinets
Megan Clark
Bass Clarinets
Lauren McGuire
Alto Saxophones
Joshua Sharpe
Tenor Saxophones
*Brianna Cook
Horns
*Joshua Stephens
Caroline Daughtry
Trumpets
*MacKenzie Sellers
*Meredith Hurst
Trombones
*Tamia Favors
*Christin Connelly
*Deep Patel
Baritones
*Hunter Cosper
Tubas
*David Piland
Percussion
*Jude Sowell
Kaleb Ward
Case Carter
*denotes musicians recommended to all-state auditions in January
