The Tennessee High School “Mighty Viking Band” had a fantastic 2020 honor band season! Multiple THS students auditioned and placed successfully at three honor bands this year - ETSU Honors Band, Virginia Tech Honors Band, and All-State East.
Students auditioning for honor bands are asked to audition in front of a panel of judges, often college professors or other music educators/band directors. They audition against other band students in our state or region in hopes of being selected for an honor band. During the audition process, the students are asked to perform scales, a prepared selection, and sight-reading. If a student is selected, they are placed in one of several bands and study under a nationally-renowned conductor. After two days of rehearsal, the students perform a public concert.
Four band students were selected for theVirginia Tech Honors Band (pictured L to R) – Amy Shi, oboe; Naomi Letson, alto saxophone; Shanoah Chapman, trumpet; and Luke Ragan, trumpet.
Seven students were selected to the ETSU Honors Band (L to R) – Sam Thomas, percussion; Hartley Lemmons, trombone; Wes McGrew, trumpet; Bethany Boone, flute; R.J. Wells, baritone saxophone; Juli Paul, alto saxophone; and Hannah Powers, clarinet.
Auditioning against 2,000+ students across East Tennessee, the THS band had a most impressive showing at All-State East. Hosted in Gatlinburg, these eleven students were selected for the state event – Corbin Finch, trombone; Shon Belcher, euphonium; Wes McGrew, trumpet; Sarah Chen, flute; Luke Ragan, trumpet; Katie Ellis, clarinet; Shanoah Chapman, trumpet; Naomi Letson, alto saxophone; Amy Shi, oboe; Grayson Webb, trumpet, Ethan Webb, horn.
Due to their high placement at All-State East, two students will move on to participate in All-State Orchestra at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN. These students are Wes McGrew. and Corbin Finch.
Congratulations to all these students for representing Tennessee High in splendid fashion! The Mighty Viking Band still has a busy season ahead with events such as solo & ensemble festival, winter guard competitions, the Virginia Duff Arts Festival, the percussion ensemble concert, the solo & ensemble concert, jazz band performances, concert assessment, and their annual spring concert. A list of performance dates are on the THS Band Website: www.themightyvikingband.com. The band is directed by David Semones, Spencer Finch, and Brianna Jennings.