Alex Laws makes history at Perryville High School

Alex Laws, a senior at Perryville High School, has earned the first chair clarinet in the 2016-2017 Missouri All-State Band.

Alex is the son of Mike and Betty Laws of Perryville.

On Dec. 3, over 1,400 students from across Missouri met at Hickman High School in Columbia to audition for the honor of participating in the top honor band in the state.

Alex marching "To earn a seat in the All-District and All-State bands there is an audition process," said PHS Band Director Jerry Childers. "Each year there are 150-200 high school students auditioning for 24 seats in the Missouri All-State Band. The band will meet, rehearse, and perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference held January 25 through January 28, 2017 at Tan- Tar- A resort, Lake of the Ozarks."

Childers said Alex has made school history: "This is the first time in PHS history that one of our students has earned a first chair clarinet in the State Band," he explained. "Clarinet is the instrument that has more competition in the audition process. It's like the quarterback position of the band."

The conductor and clinician for the 2016-2017 Missouri All-State Band is Dr. Carolyn A. Barber. Dr. Barber is the Ron and Carol Cope Professor of Music and Director of Bands in the University of Nebraska- Lincoln’s Glenn Korff School of Music. She has been a presenter at the Midwest Clinic, CBDNA, ASTA, and NAFME conferences, state music educator conventions, and district training workshops nationwide.

The 2016-2017 Missouri All-State Band will be performing the following:

Rocky Point Holiday by Ron Nelson

October by Eric Whitacre

Danzon No. 2 by Arturo Marquez

Commando March by Samual Barber

Alex has participated in the Southeast Missouri All-District Band the last six years. He was named All-State Honorable Mention the last two years.

"Alex has excelled at the clarinet while playing at PHS," Mr. Childers said. "He has worked very hard to prepare for each audition by practicing year round, participating in several ensembles and camps, and taking private lessons with Mr. Bill Fischer, and Dr. Gabrielle Baffoni of Southeast Missouri State University.

"Alex has practiced and prepared extremely well for every audition, solo, ensemble, and band part that is put in front of him. As a student, he is respectful, inquisitive, and always willing to help improve the entire band. He likes to help and see others succeed as well."

Mr. Fischer agrees.

"Alex is an exemplary young man, who has worked hard to earn this spot in the All-State Band," he said. "This is a remarkable achievement."

At PHS, Alex is involved in band, jazz band, chamber choir, as well as National Honor Society and college prep classes. He plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University to study musical performance and education. His goal is to continue studying music performance and conducting with dreams of playing in a professional orchestra.