Seniors Kristy Sturgess, Robbie Raso, Nathan James, Junior Brittany Bionda and Sophomore Kameron Mayhue are five of the musicians in the “Big Red Marching Band” that made it into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 5 Band on Jan. 8-10 in Greenville, Pa. To get into District Band, they’re placed at an audition at Honors Band for section seating and if they place high enough to get into districts, they’re in automatically, or the school band director can select students to go.

Auditions for Regional Band took place during Districts. They were given an audition time prior to the audition date, then they waited until it was their turn to enter the room to be judged. There is normally a panel of three judges who aren’t facing them.

The judges picked a section of music from their concert repertoire for the student to perform and they have to play it to the best of their ability. They were judge on musicianship, emotion within the piece, tonality and other accuracies that show a strong player.

Through private lessons, practicing and many years of experience, four students made it into Regional Band: these four students being Sturgess, Raso, James and Mayhue.

“It is an honor to make it into Regionals as a sophomore and I look forward to representing Freedom with [James, Sturgess and Raso,]” Mayhue said. He has been with Freedom’s band since fifth grade, but has been playing the trumpet for seven years and currently takes private lessons with Freedom Area Middle School Band Director, Mr. Robert James.

“It’s not the private lessons that make the difference, it’s the hours of practicing that got me to the level that I am,” Mayhue said.

Sturgess, who plays the bass clarinet, has been a Drum Major for the band for two years.

“I worked very hard to get where I am today. I can see a tremendous improvement in my playing skills as time has gone on and if someone told me in the fifth grade that I would be going to Regionals with the chance of making it to All-State Band, I wouldn’t have believed them for a second,” Sturgess said. Sturgess has also been with the band since the fifth grade playing the B flat clarinet. In eighth grade, she started playing the bass clarinet.

Raso has been playing the trombone for Freedom for six years, But he has been with the band for eight.

“It feels fabulous to get into Regional Band,” Raso said.

James plays the french horn, has been to District Band twice and has been playing for eight years, but he has been a part of Freedom’s band for seven.

“It feels like I’m finally getting some recognition for the work I do,” James said.

At Regional Band, all four players will audition for All-State Band. If they make it, they could be considered the best high school players of the state. Regional Band will take place in February at Hickory High School.