This year, six students from the Hastings High band were selected for the Hastings College Honor Band concert held on February 4.
The selected students included junior Josh Brooks on the trumpet, junior Josh Coe on the french horn, senior Kendra Rubek on percussion, junior Anna Johnson on the flute, and sophomore Lily Kingsley and junior Emily Beave on the alto saxophone.
Students are selected by auditioning and sending it in to the directors of the honor band. The audition consisted of a chromatic scale of two octaves, a regular major scale, and a short etude scale to show the auditionees strengths.
“It felt great to be selected to play in this honor band. Playing with people who are as good as you or better than you really boosts you as a performer and pushes you to get better,” Kingsley said.
This year was Kingsley’s first year being selected. For Beave, this was her second year being selected, but first year actually performing.
“I was very excited to be selected again. Last year, it had to be canceled because of the weather, so I was looking forward to it,” Beave said.
Beave sees playing in an honor band as an amazing experience.
“Playing in an honor band I get to play with people who care about music just as much as I do, and all of these people play so well. We’re all united by a common interest even though none of us know each other. It’s amazing how we can all come together and make music regardless of who we are and where we come from,” Beave said.
Brooks and Johnson were both selected to be first chair in their respective sections.
“Being first chair in anything is amazing. Being first chair in an honor band is a little different, though,” Brooks said.
Brooks felt both excitement and nervousness when he found out he was selected for first chair.
“I was excited because I knew the other players were really good and I got chosen to be the leader of them. I was really nervous because I had all of my section’s eyes on me because I was the person they needed to listen to for style and musicality,” Brooks said.
Brooks is no stranger to honor bands and being first chair.
“I was a part of the NMEA [Nebraska Music Educators Association] All State Band this year, and I also got first chair in that. I have also made the Nebraska Wesleyan Honor Band and I am first chair in that as well,” Brooks said.
Johnson also attended NMEA All-State Band. She has also been a part of the Kearney Underclassman Honor Band twice, and Wesleyan Honor Band twice.
Johnson has played the flute since fifth grade and practices often.
“It’s something that I really want to improve on. I have flute lessons once a week. I’m motivated by my love for music and the desire to improve my abilities. Music is my favorite thing in the world, and being able to take part in things that create it means a lot to me. I’m also from a very musical family and I’d love to carry on that tradition,” Johnson said.
Johnson is happy that she is fortunate enough to have had so many opportunities.
“I’m so grateful to attend a school with such an incredible music program. It has strengthened my love for music and given me the tools to grow as a musician and form wonderful relationships with people around me,” Johnson said.
