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A variety of opportunities led to a variety of musical experiences.

YMPHONIC

After a beloved teachers passing, band students honored Mr. Clint Vaught in their annual holiday concert.
Words by Elizabeth Penava & Lizzie WisemanDesign by Darby Brown

Jazz EnsembleWe improvise and do different styles and combine different For percussion ensemble students, the year involved more than just standard high school pieces; percussionists played a piece commissioned specifically for the band by Dr. David Maslanka, a professional composer. It makes me feel really honored, Garrett Oberst (12) said. He normally writes for college ensembles and he said this will definitely be a college level piece. It makes me feel proud that our name will always be on that piece of music. Photo by Christa Iwu Chamber EnsembleIt makes you a better musician because of how much repertoire you learn in such little time... I think Ive gotten better at being in an ensemble. Also just stage fright, Im not nearly as scared to perform a solo in front of people as I used to be. Rachel Cummings (10) Symphonic BandWe have students from all different grades and magnets in symphonic band so its awesome how it brings us all together to play challenging music thats still super fun to perform. Its a feeling of connectedness through the music that we love to play. Allison Fitzmaurice (11) Wind EnsembleThis year were playing Barness Third Symphony that I enjoy, its one of my favorites. It was written after his baby daughter had just died. The first movement is extremely sad and emotional, but later he had a son so the fourth movement is sort of a joyous and happier movement. Its interesting to see the journey he went on in those years. Michael Metz (10) sounds...I combine jazz with dancing. I take tap dance. [Jazz] makes me realize different rhythms, different music notes that have helped me gained more skills and technique in tap dancing, which also involves technique and improvisation. Ibragimartur Chertmanov (10) Percussion EnsembleHearing the Maslanka piece for the first time almost made me cry. A lot of high schools dont have the opportunity to do that and to be able to connect with the composer like we are. Jacqueline Leachman (11)

Performance

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eigh Perdue (12) braced herself for an emotional performance. She would be playing a piece devoted to a recently to the life of Mr. Vaught. He had taught Oral Communications and Debate and was a longtime teacher at the Youth Performing Arts School. Anticipating sorrow, many members of the production like Perdue prepared themselves emotionally for the performance. Band director Mr. Curtis Essig listened to the students play the music at least seven times in a row in hopes that he wouldnt be emotional during the actual performance. When I first found out about the tribute I thought it was a horrible idea. I didnt think Id be able to get through it but when I finally got on stage I was so happy to be able to dedicate my performance to him, Perdue said. The performance moved Mr. Vaughts friends and students, and shared feelings of loss and his memory with those who were not close to him. Id never really gotten to know him, but I was inspired by how my friends talked about him, and it made me feel passionate about what I was playing, and it made me appreciate it, Karen Moya (10) said. In the end, there werent many dry eyes left in the audience. The music described him as if he was the song. He deserved the tribute, being such an inspirational person and all the things he did for kids, Noelle Greenwell (9) said.
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In addition to studying for final exams, band students had to be prepared for convosshort for convocationswhich tested their playing ability. For her December convo, flutist Loren Been (11) decided to do something unusual: having her father be her accompanist. The decision had a positive impact on Beens performance. Usually we have a piano teacher play along with us, but with having my dad there it made me feel more comfortable when I actually played my piece for a grade, she said. Photo by Seth Fischer

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deceased teacher, and containing her feelings was a difficult process. I just built up a wall so I would be able to numb my feelings and not get upset while playing the pieces, Perdue said. A night usually based on music and holidays took a serious turn during the emotional tribute to Mr. Clint Vaught, a teacher to whom Perdue and many other students had been close with. The band holiday concert on Dec. 6 featured renditions of La Vita, Elegy, and Celebrations that were dedicated

1. A PLEASING PERFORMANCE Playing the clarinet, Christopher Zhou (9) performs a featured solo for the Mr. Clint Vaught tribute. Even though Zhou did not have ties with Vaught, he wanted to put on a performance that would have made Vaught proud. Performing is about pleasing the audience and thats what I try to do, Zhou said. 2. SYMPHONIC SOLOIST Feeling both honored and anxious to have gotten a solo, Aman Babbarwal (12) plays the clarinet. I felt like I was under a little bit of pressure to make it perfect but I just let everything go and play through my emotions, Babbarwal said. 3. FIRST CHAIR FRESHMANFlutist Biwei Chen (9) plays during the Mr. Clint Vaught tribute. She was surprised when she was selected as first chair flutist, and she was later chosen to play a solo in the tribute. Having a solo has made me more confident in my playing and taught me to express my feelings through my love of music, Chen said. 4. BOLD BASSOONIST Focusing on the music, Collin Boldin (9) practices the bassoon in preparation for the concert. I started playing the bassoon for my middle school band. The teacher needed a bassoonist and I thought it was a cool instrument that not a lot of people played. Ive loved it every since, Boldin said. 5. A FANTASTIC FEATUREChristopher Cusick (12) plays the trombone during the tribute to Mr. Clint Vaught. My piece wasnt a part of the Mr. Vaught tribute but I still wanted to play my personal best. For me, thats trying to not think about how many people are watching me and just making music, Cusick said. 6. MUSIC MEMORABILIA Playing the saxophone, Chiane Boom (9) contributes to the music at the band holiday concert. She looked to Mr. Vaught as motivation when playing during the concert. I was trying to remember him through my music and his love for the arts and used that to honor him through the piece, Boom said. Photos by Miranda Thompson

Band is a very competitive magnet, thats one thing I dont like about itbut I guess it makes me a better musician.

Academics Band

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