Kimmel accepted in to PMEA Honors Band

When sophomore Katie Kimmel sat in her room alone, she thought about the hardships that she was enduring in her life. The silence that encased the room was something that Kimmel had come to know too well that year. The only thing she knew to turn to was music.

“Some people turn to drugs for their problems but me, I had my clarinet,” said Kimmel. “And that was all I needed.”

Music continued to become a growing part of Kimmel’s life, and now, a junior, she along with two other Southmoreland High School students, have been accepted into Pennsylvania’s Music Education Association Honors Band.

Even though many clarinetists came across the state to Latrobe to audition, Kimmel managed to push past the pack to earn a spot in the Honors band at third chair.

“You have to work really hard to perfect your music for the audition,” said Kimmel. “And it’s a very rewarding feeling when that work pays off.”

Even though Kimmel has been accepted into this band in the previous year, this year she aspires for the experience to be even more rewarding.

Another two year member of the honors band is junior Jayson Monroe. The French horn player that went from being placed at last chair overall to placing fourth chair the following year knows what challenges this year’s repertoire has for him but is ready to take on those challenges.

“Working with the musicians last year and being able to perform with them made you want to push yourself even harder as a musician,” said Monroe.

Southmoreland’s one and only tuba player, junior Ben Wilcox, made his first ever audition for the Honors band. A sergeant in arms led Wilcox into the audition room and told him what part of music to play as three judges listened with their backs turned toward him. And out of twelve tubas that had auditioned, Wilcox placed fourth chair.

This year’s repertoire consists of “Canzona,” “Hymn of a Blue Hour,” “Power and Glory March,” and “Ghost Train” by Eric Whitacre that is over twenty minutes long when performed. Even though the music is challenging, the students’ music director, Mrs. Jamie Gore, still expects for a “breathtaking” concert.

“Students have an opportunity to learn from renowned teachers in the area and an expert conductor,” said Mrs. Gore. “I’m sure they will have a life changing music experience.”

Music is definitely something that not one of these musicians can put into words, so instead, they put it into music.

“When I first picked up an instrument in fifth grade and began band, I had no idea that it would mean so much to me,” said Kimmel.

Musicians will attend three rehearsals at West Mifflin in preparation for the concert. The performance will be held at the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh on Nov.23.

Bailey Geehring

I am a senior and a second year editor for the Tam O'Shanter. I will attend California University of Pennsylvania in the fall to pursue a career as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
"Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud"- Maya Angelou
Bailey Geehring
About Bailey Geehring
I am a senior and a second year editor for the Tam O'Shanter. I will attend California University of Pennsylvania in the fall to pursue a career as a Speech-Language Pathologist. "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud"- Maya Angelou

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