TWO JACKSON STUDENTS NAMED TO ALL-STATE BAND

Nicole Schwent and Amy Aufdenberg of Jackson have been named to the Missouri All-State Band after a competition held recently in Columbia, which featured over 900 of the most talented musicians from the state. Only 104 students are eligible to be in the All-state band.

Each of these Jackson High School students faced tough competition for the positions in the band. Qualification rules are strict and student musicians must first win a seat in his All-District Band.

The All-State Band will perform the finale of the Missouri Music Educators Annual Conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort in January.

Schwent is a senior and the daughter of Tim and Pat Schwent, and she will play first chair lead alto saxophone. Schwent is not new to the All-State Band; she has won the position twice in the past during her sophomore and junior years.

Aufdenberg, a junior, is the daughter of Richard and Judy Aufdenburg, and will play second chair contra-clarinet.

Another Jackson student, Matt Martin, received honorable mention.

The band will be directed by Dr. Paula Crider, director of bands at the University of Texas in Austin. Crider is the first female ever to direct the Missouri All-State Band.

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