Murray, NEB- Some members of the Conestoga High School Band were selected to perform and represent Conestoga in an honor band. There are three types of honor bands students could perform in including, Collegiate Honor Bands, a Conference Honor Band, and an All State Honor Band.

The first Collegiate Honor Band was held at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) on Jan 26 and Jan 27. Students selected to play in the honor band must record themselves playing two scales and two etudes. After submitting the recordings, judges all over Nebraska will listen and select the top performers from each instrument. The member who represented Conestoga at this event was freshman Gavin M who played the baritone saxophone and was the only baritone saxophone in the entire ensemble.

On Feb 13 through Feb 15 there was another Collegiate Honor Band held at Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU). Gavin M represented Conestoga in the wind ensemble playing the baritone saxophone. The members in the symphonic band were freshman Hayden L playing the alto saxophone, sophomore Dre R represented with the flute, and Ryleigh H, who is a junior, played the clarinet. The seniors who played were Evelyn M with the flute, Brandon L on the trumpet, Kylie C on the flute, and Ella S performed percussion. Director Cassi Vallis quotes, “Conestoga was in the top three of schools that brought a high number of students to Nebraska Wesleyan University.”

The members who played in the Conference Honor Band were selected by Vallis to represent Conestoga. Freshman Gavin M, Garret C, and Jack S performed at conference with their instruments. The sophomores included Dre R and Savina P with both of them playing woodwinds. Juniors Ryleigh H and Julia C were also performers at conference. For the seniors who performed there was Evelyn M, John M, and Ella S.

On March 28, Grand Island Northwest is hosting Class B All State Honor Band. The selection process is the same as Collegiate Honor Band in which the selected students have to send in recordings and be chosen as one of the top performers. John M and Gavin M will be performing in the wind ensemble at All State. Members of the symphonic band include Ryleigh H and Dre R. John M is in first Chair, first part, in the wind ensemble which means he is the top group. Vallis exclaims,“That means he is the best Bari Sax in Nebraska to audition for Class B All State!”