GRAVETTE -- Members of the Gravette High School band performed in a concert at the Performing Arts Center Monday evening, May 2. First, the full band performed, then some of the students left the stage and jazz band members performed several numbers.
Following the concert, band director Aaron Ray expressed thanks to school board members, Band Booster members and parents of the band students for their support of the band program throughout the year. He gave special thanks to fellow band director Mark Hendrick and to Steven Smith, upper elementary band teacher, who provided piano accompaniment for soloists at the regional assessments.
Ray presented year-end awards to several students. Students receiving awards included Jacob Orndorff, Esprit de Corps; Landon Joneson, Excellence in Music; Angel Ivers, National School Marching Award; Logan Ellis, Patrick S. Gillmore Award; Seamus Brown, Louis Armstrong Jazz Award; and Dustin Snelling, John Philip Sousa Band Award.
Several students earned points throughout the year and were presented with a band letter. Students who lettered in band included Sanjana Seghal, Prince Hall, Emma Brittle, Hayden Lewis, Dakota Selby, Madison Lovell, Chlor Jordan, Morgan Younger, Katelynn Waits, Maddox Thao, Sebastian Stiglbauer, Siena Ralph, Ella Moyers, Jeret Jarvis, Matthew Holland, Sam Govitz, Amelia Dunfee, Tovin Cornell, Sam Ahalt, Dustin Snelling, Jacob Orndorff, Landon Joneson, Angel Ivers and Logan Ellis.
Gravette band students took eight entries to the 2022 regional solo and ensemble assessments. All eight events medaled and five received a Division I rating and qualified for state. Ray recognized students who attended these assessments. Receiving Division II Awards were Sebastian Stiglbaur, Ella Moyers and the Brass Ensemble (Dustin Snelling, Matthew Holland, Amelia Dunfee, Hayden Lewis, Jeret Jarvis, Katelynn Waits and Sebastian Stiglbauer). Students receiving Division I Awards were Logan Ellis, Katelynn Waits, Dustin Snelling, Madison Lovell and Tovin Cornell.
Dustin Snelling (trumpet), Logan Ellis (alto sax), Madison Lovell (clarinet) and Katelyn Waits (trombone) were selected for Senior High All-Region Band; and Rebekah Hearne (flute), Sanjana Seghal (clarinet), Nadiyah Thornton (clarinet) and Prince Hall (trombone) were selected for Junior High All-Region Band.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Members of the Gravette High School jazz band perform during the school’s spring band concert Monday evening, May 2, at the GHS Performing Arts Center. The full band opened the concert with several numbers. Then, following the presentation of awards, several students left the stage and members of the jazz band concluded the program with a few classic jazz numbers.