JACKSON STUDENTS WIN SEATS WITH ALL-STATE BAND

JACKSON -- Two Jackson High School musicians recently were named to Missouri All-State Band, the result of a competition at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Senior Nicole Schwent and junior Amy Aufdenberg competed against more than 900 of the best musicians in the state. They first won seats in the all-district band. Later, they will rehearse with the 104-member all-district band.

The group performs as the finale of the Missouri Music Educators Annual Convention at the Tan-Tar-A resort in January.

Schwent, the daughter of Tim and Pat Schwent, will play first-chair, lead alto saxophone. She is a three-time first-chair all-state band member.

Aufdenberg, the daughter of Richard and Judy Aufdenberg, will play second-chair contra-clarinet. It is her first time to be selected to the band.

Another Jackson musician, Matt Martin, received an honorable mention. The sophomore is the son of Larry and Harriet Martin.

The band will be under the direction of Dr. Paula Crider, director of bands at the University of Texas-Austin. Her bands have won many national awards. She is the first woman ever to conduct the Missouri All-State Band.

Directors of the Jackson instrumental music program are: Nick Leist, Pat Schwent and Scott Vangilder.