Tyler Consolidated bands rate ‘superior’
Accomplished, more expert, worthier, preferred, of higher quality, first class, top quality . . . in other words, superior. Which is the rank achieved by the sixth grade, Middle School and High School bands at Tyler Consolidated recently.
The bands participated in the Region I Band Festival on April 7-8 at John Marshall High School, receiving superior ratings in each category across the board.
Sixth grade band director, Russell Keplinger, said this competition is comparable to the WESTEST for the band. “It’s where the bands are adjudicated or judged on their merits, and we are very, very proud of all of the kids and the hard work they’ve put into achieving such status.”
“We took the sixth grade kids for experience,” Keplinger said. “We challenged them and they stepped up to the plate and met our challenge head on. Wayne Smith will be gaining a nice group of kids in these sixth graders next year.”
Twenty-six sixth grade, middle school and high school bands participated in the two day Festival earning scores of I, superior; II excellent; III good; etc. Each Tyler Consolidated band participating earned straight I’s at the event.
Tyler Consolidated Middle and High School Band Director, Wayne Smith said he was very impressed with the band students performance and dedication to their craft. “Every year I am impressed with the achievements of our bands in Tyler County,” he said. “To have all three concert bands receive superior ratings is just fantastic.”
Members of each band are listed below:
Sixth grade members: Flute – Mindy Bell, Ali Cooper, Taylor Vandruff; Clarinet – Hannah Ankrom, McKenzie Bradfield, Crystal Busche, Matalyn Hayes, Courtney Hoder, Jenny Lynch, Shyann Martinez, Savannah Posey, Madison Rudder, Makayla Shepherd, Caramia Southerly, Brooke Wright; Alto Saxophone – Wesley Baker, Zach Judge, Kamrom Milhoan, Brenda Noonan, Chris Turner, Wesley Watson; Tenor Saxophone – Daniel Zarb-Cousin; Trumpet – Justin Brinkmeier, Abbie Fletcher, Shelby Gatian, Ross Gorby, Sam Lancaster, Josh Lashbrook, Katelyn Locke, Dalton Mercer, Iris Moore, Kara Smith; Trombone – Tessa Boyd, Chad Hamilton, Dylan Harter, Ellie Howell, Levi Hudson, Canyon Jarvis, Mirabella Eller, Justin Phillips; Baritone – Kody Carroll, Ben Malone; Tuba – Wesley Morgan; Percussion – Kellsi Anderson, Jarett LeMasters, James Seago, Joey Simpkins, Trenton Shepherd, Julia Thomas, and Ally Yoho
Seventh and eighth grade band: Flute – Cheyenne Blizzard, Elizabeth Highley, Casey Kelley, Jasmine Kyle, Shannan Lamp, Sydney White; Clarinet – Evan Shreve, Hannah Dennis, Elizabeth Shepherd, Karly Allen, Cosette Bantug, Sydney Glover, Jayme Jeffers, Haley Miller, Marisha Morris, Lydia Morse, Hannah Roberts, Breanna Snyder, Amber Watson; Bass Clarinet – Tiffany Jackson; Baritone – Justin Boyd, Jeremy Lancaster; Alto Sax – Zachary Haught, Bridget Matthews, Thomas Swartz, Austin VanDine, Kia Barnhart, Becky Bolin, Nathan Eddy, Miranda Reynolds, Brittany Weekley, Daron Weekley; Tenor Sax – Bryan Day, Kaleb Tanley; Trumpet – Dan Grimm, David Litten, Olivia Rudder, Brock Yeater, Samantha Frum, Caleb Kerns, Kali Shanabarger, Jordan Shultz, Kole Starkey, Michael Wilcox; Trombone – Raistlin Bogumil, Johnathan Lancaster, Chase Cooper, Scott Gorby, Ian Jackson, Jessica Kimble, Branden Owens, Rae VanCamp, Hogan Wells, Julian Work; Tuba – Austin Spencer; Percussion – Payden Clem, Daniel Fiest, Hannah Thomas, Dustin Braucher, Adam Cooper, Creed Eller, Brannon Jones, Alex Lohr, Paige Morgan, Molly Rine, and Nathan Stewart.
High School band: Flute – Ashley Bungard, Shannon Forrester, Adriane Rine, Keri Suter, Shelby Billings, Diedra Boor, Amber Eddy, Kelly Rine; Clarinet – Sarah Mays, Chelsa Thomas, Ashley Watson, Shayla Jones; Alto Saxophone – Nick Morris, Joey Wilcox, Kaitlyn Neff, Riley Housel, Stephanie Kelley, Charlie McNees, Sarah Nething, Grace Rine; Tenor/Baritone Saxophone – Zack Pelikan; Trumpet – Cody Eddy, Amanda Goodfellow, Martina Parish, Carle Stewart, Angel Kyle, Dan Grimm, David Litten; Trombone – Cody Bungard, Hannah West, Lucas Houle, Josh Pelikan; Baritone – Chad Brightwell; Tuba – Charlie Hamiliton, Nick Orr; Percussion – Evan Grover, Timmy Johnson, Kathy Hicks, Daniel Howell, Freddie Krause, Brandon Collins, Caroline Bantug, Tyler Blizzard, Ryan Dalrymple, Noah Garrison, and Hannah Thomas.
The community can see these bands in action in the Tyler Consolidated auditorium themselves as each will perform at Spring concerts this week and/or next week. The sixth, seventh and eighth grade bands will perform at their Spring Concert on May 5 at 7:30 p.m. while the High School band will perform in the auditorium on May 10 at 7:30 p.m.
With his retirement planned for the end of this school year, Keplinger said he wishes nothing but the best for the students he has taught. “I’ve worked with some really great kids,” he said. “It looks like the Middle School band program will be 100 students strong next year. I wish them the best of luck and I hope they stick with it.”
Keplinger will turn the reins of the sixth grade band over to Smith, who will be in charge of all three bands next year.
“We’ll certainly miss Rusty next year,” Smith said. “I can’t tell you the things he manages to get done for us. All of us in the band program will be sad to see him leave. His outstanding teaching at the middle school and high school level will certainly be missed.”