Bob Jones band members qualify for all-state, district bands

Bob Jones Band members auditioned for all-state and district bands. (CONTRIBUTED)

Band members from Bob Jones High School proved their musical talent by qualifying for both the Alabama All-State Band and District 1 Honor Band.

The Alabama Band Masters Association conducts auditions for these annual festivals. Sparkman High School hosted the auditions in January.

“We placed several students in the District Honor Band and the All-State Band,” Bob Jones Band Director Doyle Thornton said. “We have a large group of very talented students this year.”

Bob Jones instrumentalists in the Alabama All-State Band are Anna Pruitt, oboe; Daniel Lee and Leah Hong, soprano clarinet; Daniel Unger, alto saxophone; David Kidd and Brenton Nash, trombone; Jonathan Harris, baritone; and Katherine Reardon, string bass.

These students will perform at the 2013 Alabama All-State Band Festival on April 18-20 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.

The District Honor Band includes Michelle Bono and Cameile Herbert, flute; Daniel Lee, Leah Hong and Wenle Mu, B-flat soprano clarinet; Sureena Monteiro Pai, bass clarinet; Sara Combs, contra bass clarinet; Jessica Wright, bassoon; Daniel Unger, alto saxophone; Matt Day, trumpet; Alex Lay, French horn; David Kidd and Brenton Nash, trombone; Jonathan Harris, baritone; and Katherine Reardon, string bass.

Bob Jones hosted the 2013 District 1 Honor Band Festival on Feb. 8-9.

Students who audition must stand before a panel of judges and play scales and etudes that the judges request, Thornton said. Students also had to sight-read, or perform sheet music that they had not seen previously.

Thornton said most of his band students decided to audition because “placement in the honor band and all-state band gives them opportunities to be considered for music scholarships. Plus, they have the opportunity to perform with the best players in the state.”