Congrats to our All-State Band Members!

By: Samara Stewart & Madison Slaton

Congratulations to Scarlet Head (First Chair Flute – Symphonic Band), Colt Howard (Fourth Chair Bass Clarinet – Concert Band), and Michael Gesser (Fifth Chair Trumpet – Concert Band) on being named to the Kentucky Music Educators Association All-State Band, one of the highest honors in high school band.

The KMEA All-State Band is composed of the top high school band students from approximately 224 high schools throughout the state. Students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to audition to perform in this “all-star” group which gives a performance in Louisville at the KMEA Conference in February each year.

Students have a two-step audition process to garner this achievement. First-round auditions take place at the district level by trying out for the All-District band. Qualifying students are then recommended to final round auditions in December, which this year was held at John Hardin High School in Elizabethtown. Only the top Outstanding students who made the All-District Band are selected to move onto the next round and audition for All-State 

This is a great honor that many colleges look at when deciding to whom they are interested in offering partial and even full scholarships.

There are two ensembles that students can audition for in the Kentucky All-State Band: Symphonic Band (top ensemble) and Concert Band (second ensemble). A select few are also chosen for the All-State Orchestra, as they accept six bass clarinets and 20 trumpets in a concert band and 12 flutes in a symphonic band.  

Once again, congratulations to Scarlet Head, Colt Howard, and Michael Gesser on their outstanding achievement and making OHS proud!