February was a big month for Great Bend High School music students earning their way to state, said Great Bend High School band director Grant Mathews and vocal music director Susan Stambaugh.
Four GBHS Band, Choir and Orchestra students recently competed at the KSHSAA State Piano Contest held at Wichita State University on Feb. 19. A student must be in band, choir or orchestra to compete in KSHSAA piano events, Stambaugh explained. The students have private piano teachers and are also involved in music ensembles at GBHS.
Students Amy To, a senior in the GBHS orchestra; and juniors Reagan Huslig, choir; August Siefkes, band; and Ellyson Sommers, choir, all received I ratings, the top rating, at the Regional Piano Contest held at Fort Hays State University.
With that, they qualified for the state contest.
“August Siefkes, Amy To, Reagan Huslig and Ellyson Somers performed very well at State, and I enjoyed the opportunity to hear them play,” Mathews said. “They represented themselves, their private teachers, and Great Bend High School very well! Proud of you and your hard work!”
At state, Siefkes, a student of Karole Erickson, received a I rating. Receiving II ratings were To, a student of Becky Dudrey; and Huslig and Somers, both students of Lorrie Stickney.
Stambaugh also praised the students. “These students are to be commended, not just for their high ratings, but also for their contribution to the school and community by accompanying choirs, jazz band, section rehearsals, GBHS Variety show, as well as church and other musical engagements,” she said.
KMEA State Band
August Siefkes is also a percussionist and was selected for the Kansas Music Educators Association’s All-State Band. She was 1st chair mallets in the percussion section at the State KMEA Convention, held Feb. 26 in Wichita.
Siefkes had a wonderful performance experience with composer Randall Standridge, Mathews said. This is a unique experience to be part of a band with students from all over the state. They all audition for district band, participate in district band, then audition for state, which is a live audition.
Out of those auditions they make a 5-6A band, and 1-2-3-4A Band. Great Bend is currently on the 4A KSHSAA/KMEA music list.
“The unique thing is, that group with that personnel didn’t exist before the event, and will never exist again,” Mathews said. “They came together for that moment in time, to make music, share emotions, and impact an audience. (Siefkes) was extremely prepared and professional, as were the other students. We are very proud of her and her hard work, and this fine accomplishment.
“In addition to the music the students had prepared ahead of time, the clinician/composer Mr. Standridge added a piece they had not seen, and they performed it as well,” Mathews said. “It was an unpublished piece called ‘Choose Joy.’ It was one of the best state band performances I have experienced in my 19 years of teaching.”
Standridge posted some heartfelt thoughts on the performance and his time in Kansas on his social media, proclaiming that his opportunity to work with Kansas musicians was one of his most memorable experiences.
"Every once in a while, a magical performance happens," Standridge wrote. "These are the moments we (band directors) LIVE for. You get just the right group with just the right conductor and just the right music, and somehow it all becomes much greater than anyone could have hoped.”
After working with the 1-2-3-4A Band, he said, “it culminated with what was probably one of my single favorite performances as a conductor in my life.”
The Great Bend High School band will be performing a work by Standridge at their concert on March 24.
A vocal music concert is scheduled for March 21.
