By Sara Neustadtl

Redstone Review

LYONS–Six Lyons Middle/Senior High School Band students won seats this year in University of Colorado Honor Bands and performed to great appreciation under the direction of Dr. Gary Green at Macky Auditorium at CU in Boulder on Feb 27.

That a school the size of Lyons should front six musicians is a notable achievement. “It’s an

all-state band, 800 to 900 people typically audition for it,” said Dr. Karen Gregg, who is in her ninth year as director of the band program at the high school.

“You go in with the adjudicator and do your show,” said senior Andy Forsberg, a percussionist. “I did a marimba solo, a snare etude, and a timpani solo.”  This was Forsberg’s third Honor Band performance; he first won a seat as a sophomore.

Stirling Bowlick, who also played baritone saxophone for the audition, said, “I just played the scales and then did the prepared piece out of the method book. I think I got in because I didn’t really slip up anywhere on it.”

The competition was fierce. Between 30 and 40 bass clarinetists tried out, with 12 just from the Saint Vrain district.

Said bass clarinetist Emily Rives, “We’ve pretty much gotten over the fear of auditions by now.  I played the music I played for last year’s state band audition.”

The students were excited and nervous. “Generally I get horrible nerves in these things,” added Forsberg, especially since the musicians didn’t see their music until the day they rehearsed. “At first I thought it could have been a better band if we got the music earlier, but the director told us, if we learned the music together then we would play it with one heart. I thought that was cool. In my opinion this year’s band was the best year it’s ever been; it was the best band I’ve ever played in.”

The Middle School Honors Band, for sixth through eighth grades, played seven compositions under the direction of Michael Stone. Lyons’ musicians included Piper Doering on trumpet, Christopher Lennard on trombone, and Maggie Smith on clarinet.

The High School Honors Band played four pieces, including a moving and contemplative Sanctuary by contemporary American composer Frank Ticheli.

“I loved Sanctuary,” said Forsberg.  “I met the composer, Frank Ticheli, once; he was an inspirational guy.”

This fall Forsberg will pursue a career in musical composition at Boston’s Berklee College of Music with a major in film scoring and vibraphone. Bowlick will continue his musical training this fall too, at UNC in Greeley, where he will major in saxophone performance, and will also study other woodwinds and instrumental repair.

Much of their success is due to Dr. Gregg’s enthusiasm. “Anybody can join the band program,” she said. “There are 130 students total across all grades; 50 are in high school band. When I got here there were only 60 in program and 18 in the high school band.

“At the start of 6^th grade they sign up for beginning band, and then for two weeks they learn about and try out instruments. None of them have played these instruments before. Yet every year the bands get better and better. I set the bar really high, and they always reach it.”

Honor Band Participants

Lyons Middle/Senoir High School and an outstanding year for honor band participation.  For all groups, musicians must prepare an audition and compete for a spot in the group.

St. Vrain Valley Middle School Honor Band

Piper Doering, trumpet

Christopher Lennard, trombone

Steven Schopen, trombone

Maggie Smith, clarinet

Emma Stark, flute

St. Vrain Valley High School Honor Band

Keith Albertson, trumpet

Stirling Bowlick, bari sax

Ian Courtney, clarinet

Maddie Doering, flute

Andrew Forsberg, percussion

Reed Gattmann, horn

Clint Hirshfeld, tuba

Yani Ortega, clarinet

Emily Rives, bass clarinet

Claire Stark, horn

CU Middle School Honor Band

Piper Doering, trumpet

Christopher Lennard, trombone

Maggie Smith, clarinet

CU Honor Band

Stirling Bowlick, bari sax

Andrew Forsberg, percussion

Emily Rives, bass clarinet

CSU Honor Band

Stirling Bowlick, alto sax

Emily Rives, bass clarinet

St. Vrain High School Honor Orchestra

Isabelle Solman

All-State Band

Stirling Bowlick, bari sax

Maddie Doering, flute

Andrew Forsberg, percussion

Emily Rives, bass clarinet

All-State Jazz Band

Stirling Bowlick, bari sax

Andrew Forsberg, vibes

All-State Orchestra

Stirling Bowlick, bass clarinet

Andrew Forsberg, percussion

Patriot League Honor Band

Keith Albertson, trumpet

Jacob Anderson, percussion

Stirling Bowlick, alto sax

Amanda Chaney, flute

Meagan Chriswell, tenor sax

Ian Courtney, clarinet

Maddie Doering, flute

Reed Gattmann, horn

Kelly Herbst, tuba

Clint Hirshfeld, tuba

Yani Ortega, clarinet

Ethan Pomeroy, bass clarinet

Emily Rives, bass clarinet

Andrew Rohs, clarinet

Hayley Theriault, trombone

Cameron Walker, trombone

Rebecca Weglarz, clarinet

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