From December 5th to 6th, four of our junior high instrumentalists represented Eldred at the prestigious Marywood University Jr. High Band Festival. Our students joined approximately 275 young musicians from 40 schools. Eldred and Port Jervis were the only New York schools competing against larger districts that brought students from multiple campuses.
Each student had to audition for seating in one of three concert bands. Our students achieved phenomenal success:
Bass Clarinet: Out of 12 players, 7th grader Cathleen ranked 2nd and earned a spot with the top Honor Band. The Honor Band only took the top three Bass Clarinets!
Clarinet: Out of 48 players, 8th grader Mila ranked 8th, securing a spot in the top Honor Band. This band selected only the top 14 Clarinet players.
Trumpet: Out of 58 players, 8th grader Shannon ranked 16th and achieved the incredible honor of sitting Principal 1st Chair in the 2nd Concert Band. This is our first student to earn a Principal 1st Chair trumpet spot at this highly competitive event!
Alto Saxophone: Levi ranked 12th out of 23 Alto Saxophone players. Despite having instrument trouble for three weeks leading up to the festival, Levi performed admirably, sitting 4th chair in the 3rd band and playing important 1st Alto Sax parts.
The three bands were sized as follows: 3rd Band (105 players), 2nd Band (95 players), and the Honor Band (75 players).
Immediately after being ranked, the students began the intensive process of sight-reading six different pieces of music with their conductors. The conductors—nationally recognized master teachers from states like Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia—led rehearsals throughout Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. The students put on a spectacular concert Saturday evening. Great job by our Eldred JSHS students!