Kingston musicians superior at district
By Jon Dohrer
Kingston Public Schools
DURANT — Three ensembles from the Kingston band went to contest Saturday, and all three scored ratings of Superior.
Two percussion ensembles and a trombone choir scored I's in the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association District Solo & Ensemble Contest at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The rating qualifies the musicians to compete at the state contest April 16-18.
Orien Landis, Kingston director of bands, said all three ensembles have the opportunity to score I's at state, with continued effort.
"If they keep practicing and improving, they all have a good shot at it," Landis said. "But we have to keep getting better."
Members of Percussion Ensemble 1 are Nathan Brown, Nathan Cook, Brenden Edison, Destiny Hughes, John Jackson, Joseph Jackson, Preston Lunsford and Calli Rogers. That group performed the challenging "Mau Mau Suite" by Thomas L. Davis, a piece that features mixed meter in the opening movement and an uptempo closing passage.
Percussion Ensemble 2, consists of Aaron King, Taylor Justus, Brenden Edison, Austin Williams and Jonas McGahey, performed "Kaleidescope" by Chris Crockarell.
Trombonists Benjamin Whipkey, Jordan Wise, Chance Williams and Thomas Sedrick performed the adapted classic work "Gavotte and Hornpipe" by Henry Purcell. The performance featured solo work by lead player Whipkey.
Landis said he is hopeful that more students will want to participate in solo and ensemble contest in the future, following the lead of this year's performers.
"I'm very happy with the job they did," Landis said. "To have thirteen kids participate and to earn three I's, that's a great job."
Those performers and the rest of the Kingston high school band will now turn their attention to District Band Contest Thursday at Durant.
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