JHS STUDENTS MAKE ALL-STATE BAND

Four students from Jackson High School Jessica Terry, Bobby Abernathy, Brad Mirlv and Bill Schwent, have been selected to the Missouri All-State Band.

On Dec. 4, nearly 1,000 students from across Missouri met at Hickman High School in Columbia to audition for the honor of participation in the top honor band in the state. Only 104 students are accepted in this elite ensemble. The band will meet, rehearse, and perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference held Jan. 26 through Jan. 29 at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Lake of the Ozarks.

The band will be under the direction of Dr. James Croft. He is Director of Bands and Professor of Conduction at Florida State University at Tallahassee. Considered an authority of conduction pedagogy and wind bands, Dr. Croft has been a guest conductor, lecturer, and clinician throughout the United States and in many foreign countries. He is past president of the American Bandmasters Association, the most prestigious organization of instrumental music directors.

The Missouri All-State Band will be performing works including "A Wiltshire Symphony" by Gareth Wood, "Noble Men" by Henry Fillmore, "Variations on a Southern Hymn Tune" By William Mac Davis, and "Who Puts His Trust In God Most Just", by J.S. Bach and arranged by Dr. Croft. The only performance of the Missouri All-State Band will be at noon, Jan. 29, in Salon A at Mamiot"s Tan-Tar-A Resort.

Bill Schwent, son of Tim and Pat Schwent, is sophomore at Jackson High School and a second year member of the All-State Band. He is a member of the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and the Marching Chiefs. He is active in the Spanish Club and plans to major in Computer Engineering at the University of Missouri Columbia.

Jessica Terry has made the All-State Band the past four years, as well as the All-State Orchestra the past two years. She is a senior at Jackson High School. Terry takes lessons from Mr. Paul Thompson at Southeast Missouri State University and plans to major in music next year in college.

Bobby Abernathy, the son of Richard and Nona Abernathy, is a senior at Jackson High School. He is a member of the Jackson Marching Chiefs, Symphonic Band and Jazz band. Bobby also participates in the FBLA and HI-Step clubs of Jackson High School. He plans to major in accounting and minor in music at Southeast Missouri State University.

Brad Mirlv, the son of Tom and Terry Mirly, is a junior at Jackson High School. He plays the bassoon and is a member of the Marching Chiefs, Pep Band and the Symphonic Band. During the past four years, Brad has earned a chair on the Southeast Missouri All District Band. He is also a member of the Orchestra at Southeast Missouri State University. Brad is a member of the National Honor Society, French Club, and FBLA. He plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University majoring in Computer Science and to continue playing in the Orchestra there.