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Four Xenia Community Schools students were invited to participate in the Wright State University High School and Middle School Honor Bands for 2025! Honor bands rehearsed for two days, culminating in performances on February 14-15.
Two students from the Xenia High School Band program were selected:
🎶 Jake Hawkins - Percussionist - WSU Honor Jazz I
🎶 John Sexton - Bari Saxophone - WSU Honor Jazz II
Two students from Warner Middle School's 8th Grade Band were invited to participate:
🎶 James Haynes - Alto Saxophone
🎶 Porter Millen - Trombone
Congratulations to these students who got the opportunity to participate in master classes with the music faculty at WSU and to rehearse and learn with nationally recognized directors and professors.
The guest conductors for each ensemble consisted of Dr. Carolyn Barber, Director of Bands at University of Nebraska, Colonel Don Schofield, Commander and Conductor of the US Air Force Band in Washington DC, Matt Matthews, Director of Bands at Colony HS in California (WSU alumnus), Dr. Matt Warner, Band and Orchestra Director at Rapid Run Middle School and Adjunct Instructor of Saxophone at Sinclair Community College and Vinnie Marshall, adjunct instructor of upright bass at Wright State University.
James and Porter were given the opportunity to work with professional musicians and meet other students from nearby Dayton area schools as a part of the 75 person Middle School Honor Band. They were selected from among the 250 student nominations from across the region. The students played three selections of music with guest conductor Matt Matthews. During this performance, James Haynes (alto saxophone) had a solo during the piece "Twittering Machine" by Brian Balmages.