WMS band students earn SEIBA honors

On Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, 11 Washington Middle School band students were prepared to audition for SEIBA honor band. Snow and ice postponed that to Saturday, Jan. 25. These students prepared scales and etudes (short pieces of music) for auditions at Fairfield High School.

The South East Iowa Bandmasters Association Honor Band includes students from all schools as far northeast as Davenport as far north as Iowa City and as Far West as Grinnell all the way down to the south and east borders.

After a day of auditioning and recall auditions, four of the 11 were selected to perform with the SEIBA Middle School Honor Bands on Feb. 5, 2020 at Iowa City West High School.

The four students selected are Teague Mayer (tuba), son of Curt and Jamie Mayer; Katherine Flannery (French horn), daughter of Ryan and Diana Flannery; Mikaila Matheson (flute), daughter of Barb Matheson; and Claire Wubbena (trombone), daughter of Grant and Diana Wubbena.

They will not only perform with the honor band, but also get the opportunity to premiere a new piece by composer and guest conductor, Aaron Perrine.

Those auditioning spent many hours before and after school at mini SEIBA workshops and time practicing on their own. These students are Emma Loeffler-clarinet, Julianna Watson-oboe, Mikaila Matheson-flute, Rita Du- Flute, Joseph McCleary- percussion, Trevin Sulentich- tuba, Kate Flannery- French horn, Claire Wubbena-trombone, Christopher Braymen-trumpet, Ryan Hinson-Bari Sax, and Teague Mayer- tuba.