Friday, March 29, 2024

The Columbus percussion crew, from left -- Randy Davis, Devin Livergood, Rily Livingston, and Josh Bowman.The Absarokee group, from left: Tanna Babb, Kaiya Holmquist, Director Debbie Seibert, Chloe Flynn, and Hannes Chandler.Park City’s representatives -- Justin and Jericca Bursik.

Honor Band takes on Seattle

Seventeen Stillwater County students got a break from the hectic pace that comes at the end of the school year to show their musical talents on a trip across the Northwest.

The Tri-County Honor Band took its annual trip last week – the location rotates, and this year’s destination was Seattle.

Locally, the band held a mini-tour two weeks ago in the schools at Park City, Columbus, and Joliet. Then, the day before the trip, they played all seven songs at a concert in Billings at the Lincoln Center.

Along the way to Seattle, students performed in Stevensville and Frenchtown, as well as for South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard, Wash., and White River High School in Buckley, Wash.

Once in Seattle, the group got to take in the sights and sounds, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, an underground tour of the city, and a ferry ride.

Membership in Honor Band is fairly prestigious. High schoolers from across Stillwater, Carbon, and Yellowstone counties must audition in November – only the top 75 students earn a chair in the band.

After earning their seat, students practice together for one evening a week from January through April to prepare a half dozen difficult songs for the tour.
This year, 10 schools are represented in Honor Band.

Park City had two members: Justin and Jerrica Bursik (french horn and flute, respectively). Directing the Park City students was band teacher Asa Harris.

Absarokee had two flutes – Chloe Flynn and Kaiya Holmquist – as well as two saxophones – Hannes Chandler (bari) and Tanna Babb (alto) – representing the school. Director Debbie Seibert also accompanied the Absarokee students.

Columbus had 11 students in the band, tying a school record-high, according to the school’s band director, Chris Kapor. The Columbus members were as follows: Rachel LaFlex (flute), Shadlynn Summers (clarinet), Ben Bullis (trumpet), Briana Haskins (trumpet), Sarah Carrel (bari sax), Zach Sutton (trombone), and Dalton Marjerison (bass guitar). Rily Livingston, Josh Bowman, Devin Livergood, and Randy Davis, all percussionists, held four of the six percussion chairs in the band.