Three-time winners pace local band honorees
Making All State in orchestra, band or choir is no easy task, whether it’s a high school student’s first year or fourth.
This year, one band student and two choir students — all seniors — will represent Glacier High School for the third time at the All State Festival. They are Dani Crandell, clarinet; Elizabeth Graham, soprano 1; and Jordan Bridwell, bass 1.
Whitefish High School also has orchestra students Connor Gray, violin, and Brittany Barnes, harp, achieving All-State status for the third time. Junior Maya Gordon was in All-State orchestra for two years and was first alternate for one year.
Going through the audition process each year takes continued dedication and perseverance, according to Glacier Band Director David Barr. Becoming a superior performer is a goal of repeat All-State participants.
“I have never witnessed an easy audition,” Barr wrote in an email to the Daily Inter Lake.
“There is more pressure on a student to make All-State if they have previously succeeded. Oftentimes students don’t make it their second time unless they work harder than the previous year.”
All-State is a resume builder and usually leads to college scholarships, Barr said, in addition to performing under the direction of a nationally recognized conductor.
The 2012 All-State Band, Chorus and Orchestra Festival will be held Oct. 17 to 19 at the Great Falls Civic Center.
The following area students have qualified for the 2012 All-State Band, Chorus and Orchestra Festival.
C. Falls High School
Band
Thanawan Intaratanod, senior, oboe
Ada Brooks, sophomore, euphonium
Choir
Meredith Stolte, sophomore, soprano 2
Matt Erhart, senior, bass 2
Flathead High School
Orchestra
Katie Weed, junior, cello
Band
Ellie Lapp, senior, clarinet
Barrie Sugarman, senior, flute
Brandon Johnson, senior, trombone
Paige Swindle, junior, clarinet
Choir
Erica St. James, senior, soprano 1
Jenna Boles, senior, soprano 2
Jessica Helder, senior, soprano 2
Kijrstjn Kruse, junior, soprano 2
Moriah Gilpin, junior, alto 1
Desirae Fauske, senior, alto 1
McKenna Wilson, junior, alto 2
Chloe Newlon, senior, alto 2
Cody LaPorta, senior, tenor 1
Trae Habel, sophomore, tenor 1
Suny Cheff, senior, tenor 2
Kyle Kosinski, senior, tenor 2
Eli Cornell, sophomore, tenor 2
Eric West, sophomore, tenor 2
Jon LeGassey, senior, bass 1
Jay Shonsey, senior, bass 2
Caleb Keller, senior, bass 2
Trey Jorgenson, junior, bass 2
Glacier High School
Orchestra
Christian Diaz, junior, violin
Keckeley Habel, senior, cello
Julia Cecil, junior, violin
Band
Zane Perryman, senior, percussion
Dani Crandell, senior, clarinet
Audrey Sullivan, junior, flute
Nathan Connell, junior, percussion
Ashlee Buller, junior, French horn
Choir
Elizabeth Graham, senior, soprano 1
Alexa Cote, junior, alto 2
Emily Moore, senior, alto 2
Rebecca Konen, sophomore, alto 2
Dillon Moes, senior, tenor 2
Caleb Fitzwater, sophomore, bass 1
Jordan Bridwell, senior, bass 1
Libby High School
Band
Darbi Brooks, senior, first alternate for clarinet
Polson High School
Orchestra
Austin Martinez, sophomore, bass clarinet
Choir
Ian Ricketts, senior, tenor 1
Sarah Rausch, sophomore, alto 1
Sheldon Clairmont, junior, tenor 2
Whitefish High School
Orchestra
Connor Gray, junior, violin
Rebecca Holdhusen, sophomore, violin
Annika Gordon, freshman, violin
Maya Gordon, junior, cello
Brittany Barnes, junior, harp
Choir
Jon Jacobs, senior, bass 2
Sean Acton, senior, bass 1