CRESTVIEW — Four rising Crestview High School sophomores may have a slight edge over fellow musicians, having trained on the Florida Bandmasters Association’s Nine Star Honor Band.
Saxophonist Victoria Drake, trombonist John Songster, clarinetist Cole Castille and flutist Katrina Vasko trained with a clinician July 9 in Daytona Beach before the full honor band’s July 10 performance.
“They’re a group of selected ninth-graders. They got to perform a new piece that was commissioned for that band,” Crestview High band director Jody Dunn said.
This week, Victoria, John, Cole and Katrina joined the rest of the Big Red Machine as the 260-member band began summer practice.
After two weeks of Tuesday and Thursday practice, things will get intense when Band Camp begins July 27, and the students work seven hours daily under Dunn and assistant band director Charlie Anderson’s direction.
This year’s Big Red Machine makes its public debut at Meet the Band on Aug. 7.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Meet the Band
WHEN: Aug. 7
WHERE: Jack Foster Stadium, Crestview High School
NOTES: The 2015-16 Crestview High School band makes its public debut; free admission, but donations are always welcome.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Clinic prepares 4 Crestview High students for summer band practice