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6 DHS musicians make All-State groups

50% of our high school music students wish to pursue a career in this field
Nolan Reed, 17, the son of Ron Reed and Cindy Bonitz-Ryan, qualified for the All-State orchestra performance Feb. 12-14 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. The performance will be Reed’s third.

For the first time in recent memory, Durango High School music students have qualified for All-State performances in concert band, jazz and orchestra in a single year.

All-State performances bring together high school musicians from around the state. The three performances will be held in January (jazz), February (orchestra) and April (concert).

It’s a singular honor to perform in the All-State groups, said Katharine Reed, the director of music at DHS.

A list of pieces is published in the spring for each musical genre, giving students six months to practice for an audition in the fall, Reed said.

In the orchestra category, 442 students auditioned. The jazz competition brought out 215 students; 908 hopefuls auditioned in concert band.

Competition is so stiff that some students take private lessons to prepare, she said.

The All-State jazz performance, scheduled for January in Colorado Springs, will find senior Christopher Petty on piano.

It is the first time in at least 15 years that a DHS student has qualified for the jazz group.

Senior Nolan Reed (violin), junior Nick Wilbur (viola) and senior Reiley Waldo (percussion) qualified for the All-State orchestra performance Feb. 12-14 in Fort Collins.

Nolan’s participation will be his third, with Nick qualifying for the second time; it’s the first time for Reiley. It’s the 63rd annual All-State orchestra performance.

DHS junior Sierra Trout (flute) and senior Scott Erickson (clarinet) will perform April 9-11 in All-State concert band in Greeley.

Twelve DHS students auditioned for concert band, 10 for orchestra and four for jazz, Reed said.

Concert band and orchestra members are sophomores to seniors. Jazz band is limited to juniors and seniors.

The Colorado Bandmasters Association sponsors the state-level jazz performance. Colorado State University sponsors orchestra, and University of Northern Colorado sponsors concert band.

The sponsors select the pieces that will be used for auditions, Reed said.

About 50 percent of DHS music students want a career in the field, Reed said.

daler@durangoherald.com



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