Two Local StudentsPerform In All-County Band

January 27, 2009

Two North Escambia students performed Tuesday night in the 2009 All-County Instrumental Gala tonight at Pensacola High School. Taylor Brook, an Ernest Ward Middle School student, played the trumpet in the All-County Middle School Band. And Briana Halteman, a student at Northview High School, plaed the flute in the school district’s All-County High School Band.

brookband.jpgTaylor and Briana are the only North Escambia students in the All-County bands.

This is not an honor to be taken lightly. The All-County honors bands perform in the Instrumental Gala that is sponsored by the Florida Band Masters Association. Students are allowed to audition for a seat in the band. The students’ audition is judged by local band directors that sit with their backs to the student so that the students are graded solely by their talent, technique and tone. Each student is required to play a prepared piece of music, five major scales in under two minutes, a chromatic scale and sight-reading – where the students have to play a random piece of music placed in front of them.

Charles Tucker serves as band director for both Northview and Ernest Ward. He worked to prepare both young ladies for their performances tonight.

In September, Taylor received the music and scales that are required to play at the auditions. She practiced and learned the music and in November, before the Christmas Break, Taylor went to Jim C. Baily Middle School for tryouts. More than 20 students auditioned for the trumpet section of the Honors Band, but there were only 16 positions available. After waiting for two days, Taylor received notice that she had passed the auditions and was now a member of the Honors Band.

After the Christmas break, Taylor attended weekly practices at Jim C. Bailey and Ferry Pass Middle Schools. On Monday, she was in an all-day practice with the other students at Ransom Middle School. She practiced for a half day Tuesday, and then returned Tuesday night for the concert.

“I am excited that I made All-County Band since it is my senior year,,” said Briana, who current serves as the Northview Tribal Beat’s Drum Major.

The conductors this year were Robert W. Smith of Troy University, directing the Middle School Honors Band; Don Snowden of Pensacola Junior College, leading the High School Honors Band; and Andra Bohnet of The University of South Alabama, conducting the Honor orchestra

Taylor is the daughter of Matthew and Connie Brook of McDavid. Briana is the daughter of Lyndon and Norma Halteman of McDavid.

Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School student Taylor Brook. Pictured bottom: Northview student Briana Halteman.

Comments

6 Responses to “Two Local StudentsPerform In All-County Band”

  1. BOB MXON on January 29th, 2009 7:08 pm

    WAY TO GO !!!!!! TATER MAE . WE”ER SO PROUD OF YOU LOVE YA MEMAW&GRANDDADDY

  2. J.davis on January 28th, 2009 3:40 am

    these are two fine musicians! The concert was wonderful, these girls did a fine job representing our schools and community. Job well done girls!

  3. Beegee on January 27th, 2009 3:20 pm

    Mrs. Barbara at Byrneville School says to Tater Mae: You go girlie!!!!!!

  4. Amy Keith on January 27th, 2009 11:58 am

    Way to go Taylor! We are so proud of you!

  5. Amanda on January 27th, 2009 11:44 am

    You go Bri!! i cant wait to watch you tonight :) i know you will do an amazing job

  6. Nikki on January 27th, 2009 7:05 am

    Good job! It’s going to be a great show. Will Briana get to turn a flip on the way to the stage?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Education, FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News