Nearly 900 individual nominations from across six states were received by organizers of the 2018 Ohio State University Middle School Honor Band Festival. From that pool, 385 students were selected for participation, including 12 from Westerville middle schools.
Blendon participants are Buba Bangura (7), baritone saxophone; Eli Davidson (7), French horn; Justin Fagge (8) bassoon; Esteban Flores (8), French horn; and Olivia Goff (8), oboe. Emily Bartholomew, percussion, was selected as an alternate to the Eighth Grade Honor Band. Nicole Sheridan, flute; and Alayna Williamson, trumpet; were chosen as alternates to the Seventh Grade Honor Band. Blendon Middle School’s Director of Bands is Amy Levine.
Genoa participants are Philip Lubinsky (7), percussion; Caris Marshall (7), clarinet; and Grace Vance (8), alto saxophone. Alicia Deng, oboe; and Rosalie Heath, trumpet, were picked as alternates to the Seventh Grade Honor Band. Marc Beauchamp, trumpet, was selected as an alternate to the Eighth Grade Honor Band. Genoa Middle School’s Director of Bands is Kristy Shaffer-May.
Heritage participants are Lydia Fyock (8), oboe; Sam Weaver (8), French horn; Mollie Kinkead (7), alto saxophone; and Jonathan Stowers (7), trombone. Colleen Morrison, flute; and Alaina Roussos, trumpet, were selected as alternates to the Eighth Grade Honor Band. Peyton Cunningham, trumpet; and Alison Reynolds, oboe, were selected as alternates to the Seventh Grade Honor Band. Heritage Middle School’s Director of Bands is Chris Kuhn.
A free public performance will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 17, in the Mershon Auditorium. Both 8th grade honor bands will present the world premiere of a brand new composition by William Owens at the Festival Concert. The festival will include more than 360 students in four equal-ability honor bands.
Established in 2012, the Ohio State Middle School Honor Band Festival annually provides the opportunity for outstanding musicians in seventh and eighth grades to be nominated by their band directors for involvement in the one-day event. Students who are selected take part in one of four 90-piece concert bands – two 7th Grade Honor Bands and two 8th Grade Honor Bands. Each honor band rehearses and performs with the festival guest composer as well as their dedicated conductor.