As West Virginia University received an increased number of applications for this year’s Honor Bands participation, the College of Creative Arts School of Music had to tighten the selection process. Despite that fact, eight Bridgeport High School students received the honor and will participate in a three-day event which will culminate with the 38th Annual Honor Bands Concert, Feb. 11 at the CAC’s Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.

 

BHS Band students participating are clarinet players Julia Johnson, Mackenzie Steele, Emily Ogden, Samantha Holbert and Brianna Oldaker, horn player Sarah Palmer, trumpet player Joplin Kehrer and percussionist Sarah Mitchell.

 

Selection for the Honor Band is quite an honor, said BHS Band Director Chris Hayslette.

 

“(The Honor Bands participants) have the opportunity to work with students from other schools around West Virginia, as well as surrounding states,” he said. “They also get to work with guest conductors and perform selections that they might not get the opportunity to play here at BHS.”

 

Selection encompasses the students’ exceptional talent and good work ethic, Hayslette said.

 

“Students are selected on the basis of director recommendation, their past musical honors, etc. so all of those things are considered,” he said.

 

Emily Ogden is participating for the third year. She continues to be excited about it.

 

"This is an opportunity to play with the best high school musicians from West Virginia and surrounding states," she said. "It also gives me a chance to play challenging pieces and learn from distinguished conductors. It's also fun to meet other high school students who have the same interest in music as I do."

 

This is Joplin Kehrer's first year to participate in the Honors Band. She's  pretty excited about the opportunity.

 

"Being in the WVU Honors Band is an incredible opportunity to meet other like-minded musicians and be motivated by their talent," said Kehrer, a BHS junior. "Being part of a group of such collectively gifted kids is an awesome opportunity."

 

Most years, BHS has five or six band students for the Honors Band, Hayslette said.

 

Students will arrive at the CAC Thursday, Feb. 9 to register and participate in band and chair auditions. On Feb. 10, band and chair assignments are posted and concert rehearsals, a directors’ clinic and faculty master classes will take place, followed by a WVU Wind Symphony Concert. The Feb. 11 Honor Bands Concert will begin at 3:30 p.m.

 

Serving as this year’s conductors are Dr. Scott C. Tobias, Director of Bands, West Virginia University; Dr. Matthew McCutchen, Associate Director of Bands, University of South Florida and Mr. John Thomson, Retired Director of Bands of New Trier High School, Illinois. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured is the BHS Marching Band at the 2016 Bridgeport Christmas Parade. Joplin Kehrer is shown center, playing the trumpet.