The already stellar year for the Waynesville Middle School Band program, under the direction of Stephen Parris and Jaime Graeber, continued with two WMS Band students being selected to All State Band ensembles. A record 7 WMS Band students qualified to audition for All State Band. Kacy VandenBergh and Coleman Ammons were selected based on the results of this rigorous audition process that included the best middle school band students from across the state of North Carolina.
VandenBergh, a 7th grader, was selected as first chair Contra-Alto Clarinet and will represent WMS and Haywood County Schools at the All State Honors Band Clinic held at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , April 29th-May 1st.
Ammons, an 8th grader, was selected as the drummer for the North Carolina Middle School All State Jazz Band. The All State Jazz clinic will be held April 8th-9th at the NC School of Science and Math in Durham, NC.
Band Directors Parris and Graeber were ecstatic with the results. Parris stated “Our program is continuing to grow and prosper in spite of the difficult times facing public education. Mrs. Graeber and I are so proud of Kacy and Coleman! All State Band members are the most outstanding musicians in the entire state. In the case of these students, they are the absolute best because only one contra alto clarinet and one drummer is selected for these respective groups. This is an unbelievable accomplishment. “
In February, 375 of the best musicians from the Western District of NC gathered at Western Carolina University for a weekend of music making that culminated with a concert at WCU’s Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Auditorium. The Waynesville Middle School Band, under the direction of Stephen Parris and Jaime Graeber, is proud to have been represented by 14 outstanding musicians selected following an extensive competitive audition process. WMS students attending were:
Charlotte Allsbrook
Coleman Ammons- eligible for All State Auditions
William Caldwell
Sarah Clarke
Molly Dorgan
Carter Huskison
Kennan Huskison
Jennifer Luna
Minhvu Nguyen
Harper Schwab
Robert Super- Eligible for All State Auditions
Kacy VanDenBergh- Eligible for All State Auditions
Elliott Wells
“Being selected to this clinic is similar to an athlete being named to an all-star team or being recognized as an All-Conference team member” said Parris. “The WMS Band program is proud of these students as well as the other band members who auditioned for All District Band. Preparing requires a great deal of hard work and extra practice time after school. We are proud of these students for the effort and dedication they have shown in being one of the best band students in our region and representing Waynesville Middle School and Haywood County Public Schools.”
Anyone with questions concerning the WMS Band Program and the opportunities it offers Waynesville Middle School students are encouraged to contact Stephen Parris at WMS (456-2403) or at sparris@haywood.k12.nc.us
Submitted by: Karen Kreitzburg, Waynesville Middle School