The latest feather in the cap for Iola High School’s music program came Jan. 9 in Salina, when students Bryan Gentry, senior, Tori Smith, junior, and Madison Carlin, sophomore, qualified for the State Band Festival.
They’ll rehearse over a three-day stretch before performing at a concert Feb. 26 at the Regency II Convention Center in Wichita.
Gentry did more than qualify. He earned the “first chair” or “principle” trumpet seat, meaning he was rated the best of the 110 or so trumpeters who auditioned.
“I certainly wasn’t expecting that,” Gentry said. “I thought I did well, but I had no idea I’d get that kind of rating.”
This is Gentry’s second consecutive year to qualify for the state band.
Smith, meanwhile, earned seventh chair in the French horn.
“I’m the kind of person who always thinks I did horribly,” Smith said with a wry smile. “I thought I didn’t make it. I’m pretty hard on myself.”
Carlin, a sophomore, qualified in her first year of eligibility, earning 10th chair in trumpet.
“I was both a little confident and nervous,” Carlin said. “I thought I did well, but I know I could do better. I let my nerves get the best of me.”
Olivia Taylor, also a sophomore, is an alternate participant in French horn.
“This gives me something to look forward to for next year,” she said “I want to do better and qualify.”
IHS music instructor Matt Kleopfer noted the three qualifiers and alternate are the most he’s had in the four years he’s been with the Iola program.
“I look at that as spreading the culture,” Kleopfer said. “Instead of this being unusual, I want this to be expected. We talked about that this morning with the middle-schoolers.”
Gentry said the newcomers are in for a treat when they arrive for the state festival.
“These guys are crazy good,” Gentry said. “There are no weak spots anywhere.”
THE STATE event is one of several to keep the band students busy.
Eleven students qualified to perform Feb. 18 at the Symphony of Winds Concert in Neodesha, featuring the top Class 2A, 3A and 4A musicians in the state.
Iola qualifiers are Aaron Terhune, Chloe Wilson, Blake Ashmore, Jack Eyster, Chris McCormack, John Miller, Jaden Channel, Drake Sell, Parker Smith, Gentry Dougherty and Tavon Bass.
Kleopfer and Gentry will give a pre-show performance for the audience.
“They’d asked me to perform, and I figured I’d have Bryan come along, since he’s such a great performer,” Kleopfer said.
