SHS Musicians Make Mark at Music Festival

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Created on Monday, 02 December 2024 15:39

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By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Eight Sitka High School music students earned spots in the all-state mixed choir, band and treble choir, at the ASAA Alaska All-State Music Festival held in Anchorage Nov. 20-23.
Sophomores Autumn Bethune and Sapphire Esmay qualified for treble choir; senior Rita Christianson, senior Melody Peacocke, junior Francis Myers and senior Josh Gluth were selected for mixed choir; and junior Justin Hames (trumpet) and senior Julia Nabula (clarinet) qualified for honors in band.

Sitka High choir and band students selected for the 2024 ASAA Alaska All-State Music Festival pose for a photo after their final performances Saturday, November 23, in Anchorage. They are, from left, front row, Rita Christianson, Autumn Bethune, Julia Nabula, Sapphire Esmay; back row, music director Andrew Hames, Josh Gluth, Francis Myers, Justin Hames and Melody Peacocke. (Photo  provided to the Sentinel)

“Sitka High has a long history in participating in the all-state music festival,” said Andrew Hames, now in his third year as SHS music director. “It’s a chance to play with other high-ranking musicians across the state, and get to work with a guest director on the university level who travels to Alaska to get to work with these students.”
After being selected for the bands and choirs through a recorded audition process, students practice selected pieces for about four weeks before the conference. Once they arrive, it’s three days of solid rehearsals and clinics to be prepared for final performances on the final day.
One of the Sitka musicians, Justin Hames, was named first chair trumpet in the all-state band after his live audition before experts in the field. Judging was on the basis of musicality, tone, articulation, accuracy of rhythm and pitch.
“The trumpet section is one of the largest sections in the band, and for Justin to be ranked top player is quite an honor for him and Sitka High School,” said Andrew Hames said. “As his dad I can attest to the many hours he spent practicing for the state festival, and the hard work he’s put in. It’s very challenging repertoire he played.”
Most of the kids qualified as well for All Northwest music festival.
Josh Gluth, who’s been in mixed choir three years and sings in the Tenor II section, described some of the exercises at the festival as “interesting,” including ones that combined physical fitness with vocal techniques in a way that he hadn’t done before.
“This year, the choir seemed most prepared than any other year I’ve been a part of it,” he said. He heard similar reports from other music groups at the festival, which meant they were able to hit the ground running from the outset. The Sitka choir musicians received fair warning this year that if they weren’t practicing the pieces for the festival in advance, they could lose their positions in the choir.
“People were extra motivated to practice because they wanted to be part of the choir,” Gluth said. He said he plans to continue singing next year at college, although he also plans to play baseball for the school’s team.
Justin Hames, who’s played trumpet for over six years and studies privately, said he was surprised and excited to have been selected first chair in a section of about a dozen trumpet players and also had the opportunity to play in the all-state orchestra.
“The conference was really busy, but it was really fun,” Justin said. He appreciated getting to learn from the  guest conductor, David Vickerman, associate professor of music at San Jose State University, where he also is director of bands.
Justin said he’s been in the state festival’s  “best honor band” for the last three years. The music challenged the players, but was also within their reach, he said.
Senior Melody Peacocke, a soprano 1, said she enjoyed the three days and knows the event is a great opportunity, especially for those participating from smaller communities, “to be part of a band or choir of dozens of people who love music.”
“This year, the Mixed Choir was so prepared to sing and we made so much progress during our three days together,” she said by text message. “It was amazing to see our improvement when we all put our mind to something. The environment was so full of energy and kindness, and this was a great All State to end on as a senior.”
The choir and band are gearing up for their Winter Concert December 11 at the Performing Arts Center.
The Sentinel will have a story on the Mt. Edgecumbe High School students who qualified for treble choir.