By Tammy Allison – THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Many local Wauseon Band students are part of this year’s area honor bands.
Recently, by their director nomination, high school band students from all over Ohio were selected for the Bowling Green State University High School Honor Band. Once the students arrived at BGSU, they auditioned for one of two bands. Participating from Wauseon were Bailey Hardy (Trombone), Ashlyn Boyers (trumpet), Stephanie Whitman (Percussion), and Brooke Hardy (flute).
Another local honor band event is the High School District Honor Band and Junior High Honor Band. Schools from the OMEA District 1 which includes the counties of Williams, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Wood, and Lucas, are represented in this annual musical event. Students must prepare a recording of the audition music and submit it. This is then sent as a blind audition to be judged by area music teachers. Five Wauseon High School students auditioned and were accepted into the OMEA District 1 Honors Band. These students are Ashlyn Boyers (French Horn), Stephanie Whitman (Percussion), Sean Baker (Tuba), Zach Spadafore (Tuba), and Kevin Moden (Trumpet). Twelve Wauseon Middle School students auditioned and were accepted into the OMEA District 1 Junior High Honor Band. These students are Sarah Broun (Flute), Amber Wolpert (Flute), Lance Jutze (Clarinet), Lukas Dominique (Clarinet), Karli Callahan (Bassoon), Rebekah Rees (Bass Clarinet), Kodi Albright (Trombone), Jozef Shema (Trombone), Lucas Blanchong (Tuba), Conner Hicks (Percussion), and Kyle Vernot (Percussion). Two practices will be held at the Sylvania Northview High School. The final concert for the Junior High Band, Choir, and Orchestra Concert is at 2:30 at the Stranahan in Toledo on Sunday February 16.
The High School District Honor Band, Choir, and Orchestra starts at 7 pm at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo that day as well. This event is free and open to the public.
The Wauseon Music Boosters pays all entry fees for these events to make the event possible for any student who is capable and desires to participate. The Wauseon High School and Middle School Bands are led by director Eric Boswell and assistant director Jason Lozer. Boswell, states, “We really appreciate the extra efforts of these fine students who have gone above and beyond expectations. Their hard work helps to improve the band program as we strive to improve every day. We are lucky that the community, school district & parents value music and make this type of opportunity possible.”
Tammy Allison may be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com