Marion Junior High Band students shine at all-region auditions

36 students selected for the honor

By ANDY WELD

MSD Communications

Marion Junior High Band students shine at all-region auditions 36 students selected for the honor The Marion Junior High School Band had a standout showing Saturday in Cabot during auditions for the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association Region IV Honor Band. A total of 36 students earned a position in one of the all-region bands.

This year’s total shatters last year’s showing of 17 (which had doubled number from the previous year). Only Cabot, a 7A school with two junior highs and a ninthgrade academy, had more all-region selections. Other schools participating included West Memphis, Searcy, Beebe, Riverview, Lonoke, and Bald Knob.

“This is a tremendous testament to the hard work our students are putting in,” said Marion band director Monty Hill. “It’s such an incredible opportunity for a young musician to participate in the all-region band, and I’m thrilled we have so many students who will get to do it. To see the number of

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all-region selections increasing every year shows that our students are buying into the program we are building here.”

The full list of Marion Junior High all-region band selections is as follows:

Flute

Peyton Bateman – 1st Band/8th Chair; Allie Johnson – 1st Band/10th Chair; Kaelynn Wright – 2nd Band/5th Chair; Faith Watkins – 2nd Band/9th Chair; Cambria Rains – 2nd Band/12th Chair

Oboe

Joslyn Mitchell – 2nd Band/1st Chair

Clarinet

Jazmine Roberts – 1st Band/12th Chair; Kayden Harris – 1st Band/13th Chair; Kaitlynn Wright – 1st Band/19th Chair; Gabby Toquinto – 1st Band/24th Chair; Gabriel Livingston – 2nd Band/7th Chair; Brianna Palencia – 2nd Band/20th Chair; Jazlyn Thomas – 2nd Band/21st Chair; Anais Capers – 2nd Band/24th Chair; Yaniv McDaniel – 2nd Band/26th Chair; Keira Riley – 2nd Alternate; Madeline Lanier – 8th Alternate

Contra bass clarinet

Zariya Bell – 2nd Band/1st Chair

Bass clarinet

Gabriella Lara – 2nd Band/1st Chair; Chelci Johnson – 2nd Band/2nd Chair

Tenor saxophone

Noah Sheals – 1ST Band/3rd Chair

Baritone saxophone

Lauren Brown – 2nd Alternate

Alto saxophone

Ariel Ross – 1st Band/1st Chair; Damien Nicks – 1st Band/4th Chair; Chris Abrams – 2nd Band/3rd Chair; Tayla McClanton – 2nd Alternate

Trumpet

Ethan Martin – 1st Band/11th Chair; Kera Fesperman – 2nd Alternate

French horn

Cameron Baker – 1ST Band/4th Chair; Billy Zheng – 2nd Band/1st Chair; Erick Perez – 2nd Band/4th Chair

Trombone

Kevin Gudino – 2nd Band/9th Chair; Adrianna Jackson – 3rd Alternate

Tuba

Carrie Jones – 2nd Band/1st Chair

Percussion

Elijah Doss – 2nd Band/11th Chair; Chris Partain – 4th Alternate The community will have an opportunity to check out the Marion band program in action this week. On Thursday, the Patriot Pride Marching Band will march in the Marion Christmas Parade. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of MSD

The Marion band program continues to accumulate accolades. The junior high band recently had several standouts at all-region auditions. Catch the Patriot Pride Marching Band (pictured) tomorrow night in the Marion Christmas Parade.