Thomas County Central High School has scored the most student musician chairs of any participating school on the 2018 Georgia Music Educators Association District 2 Jazz Band.

Auditions were held at TCCHS last week. The six TCCHS musicians who have played their way onto the band are Eric Webb (alto saxophone), Will Baillargeon (tenor saxophone), Olivia Osgatharp (trombone), Joshua Stephens (bass guitar), Nathan Davis (drumset) and William Bufford (bass trombone).

“I'm super excited and proud of all of the students,” TCCHS Assistant Bands Director Paul Johns said. “All of the students in the jazz band chose to audition this year. Even though not every student made the band, the progress that was attained by every student who tried is huge.”

The audition includes playing six jazz scales and sight-reading two contrasting pieces. Students began preparing for the audition as soon as the school year began. They’ve practiced scales and sight-reading both in class and at home, Johns explains.

“The judges look for many things in this audition,” he said. “The fluidity of playing the scales is key. Sight-reading can also be the major factor that affects the success of the audition.  It's the wildcard because no one has seen it.”

Junior Joshua Stephens, 16, auditioned to become a better musician and interact with others who love music.

“My audition was very intimidating at first, but once I got into the groove, I felt confident,” he said. “I am very happy to be a part of district jazz band because I get to see my hard work come to fruition and make music with other students who share my passion.”

Nathan Davis, 17, says making district for the second year in a row feels great.

“I always want to be in a band with a lot of talented musicians,” he said.

Olivia Osgatharp earned first chair for her instrument through her audition. She is very appreciative of the opportunity and the upcoming experience.

“I look forward to meeting other jazz musicians and seeing the way the jazz instructor interprets the music differently,” she said.

Stephens anticipates the complexity of the music they’ll only have two days to learn.

“I am excited to see what we will be able to accomplish,” he said.

The 2018 GMEA District 2 Jazz Band will be held at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in February 2019.

The next step for students who scored high enough on the district audition is the extremely competitive GMEA All State Jazz Band. These auditions will be held at North Georgia University in December. TCCHS students Isaiah Manning (bari saxophone) and Meredith Hurst (trumpet) also scored high enough to participate in this audition.

Manning, who advanced to the second round of auditions last year as well, said he is less intimidated and more prepared for this year’s competition. He hopes to conquer it.

“They have to sight read twice, prepare two etudes, and improvise over a recording,” Johns said of the upcoming all state audition.

Johns believes every student who auditioned for district, whether they move on or not, should be applauded.

“I would just like to reiterate how proud I am of the students who put in the practice time for the audition,” he said. “It is our goal to get better each year with our preparations, and I feel certain we are meeting that goal.”