WRHS sends 12 musicians to ISU Honor Band

High achievers take clinic, perform

Wood River High School’s Band, under the direction of Bart Bailey, sent 12 of its top musicians to the Idaho State University Senior High Honor Band clinic and concert in Pocatello Dec. 5.

The students audition for membership in the Honor Band based on their musical achievement.

According to Dr. Patrick Brooks, director of bands and Associate Professor of Music at ISU, the honor band exists to give these outstanding high school instrumentalists an additional opportunity to perform quality literature in a positive educational setting.

The group rehearses for about eight hours prior to the performance. This year’s concert was Dec. 5 at Goranson Hall on the ISU campus.

Participants from Wood River in the 76-member band included Saesha Senger, flute; Trudy Fochs, Emily Johnson and Sonali Shivdasani, clarinet; Nic Mitchell, saxophone; Ben Brower, trumpet; Andrew Schiers and Lee Stoops, trombone; Zane Wenglikowski, tuba; Luke Cordingley, Doug Green and Jens Kuross, percussion.

Students from 16 southern Idaho schools participated in this year’s clinic. Pieces performed were: "A Festival Prelude," by Alfred Reed; "Cajun Folk Songs," by Frank Ticheli; and "The British Eighth," by Zo Elliott.