April 9, 2022 Issue, Page 12 of 12

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12 Community April 9, 2022 Elk City High School Band at OBU in Shawnee. Courtesy photo. S a Leading the band throughout the year are drum majors Maddie Benton, Danni Sottile, and Jada Kimball.; At right, band seniors display the trophies presented at State contest. Courtesy photos. Band Overcomes Loss to Take Sweepstakes By Sheryl Ponce later in the year. gram in the middle, trying to raise them to the fingering system that seems to work. “We decided to invite Jordan to come on, next level. He does not want to have the biggest “I point out different aspects of the composi- ‘The Elk City Band began the year facing the but his main gig is with his band, so we don't band program, but to have the best quality pro- tion, but I’m not allowed, once they start play- loss of assistant band director, Dillion Jung, but get him on weekends. He’s gone, playing every gram in the state. ing, to speak again. Once I kick them off, all I they have been able to rebound, taking Sweep- weekend somewhere. We don't get him on most “Our class of beginners that I started this can say is measure five, only if it’s a rehearsal stakes for the 32nd time. Director Tim DeWitt Fridays and sometimes not on Thursdays. We year was phenomenal. The beginners class num- number. So, if we go from five to 13, and they led the group for his third year, accrediting the will get to keep him next year, and will be able to bers are strong and good players. We're excited have a mistake in measure seven, I just wave my staff and kids for their accomplishments. add another director. There are some good pros- about what's next, and we keep recruiting and arms, that’s all I can do. So we geto measure 13, “Being short handed this year, I want to pects for the program,” he explained. retaining them. I think within five or six years and then I could say measure 13,” he said about thank my staff, Cassie Barger, Phil Phyillaier, There are 32 Sweepstakes plaques hanging we could be the power house in the state. When the competition. and Jordan Cain for their tireless work. They on the wall in the band room, which means theyT’m talking about the power house, I have a big- ‘The group will be going to the State solo and have encouraged the kids and they encouraged are continually building the program to main- ger vision. I want something that's just the way I ensemble competition on April 20th, where 13 me. They're just great human beings.” DeWitt tain their winning tradition. DeWitt does not want it to be. don’t want to be just good. I want soloists qualified to compete. That is the most said. look at maintaining their status, but to groom to be the wild people,” he said. qualifiers they have had in a very long time. He also credited the administration, includ- better musicians. Sweepstakes is part of that process. It “We have our spring concerts coming up. ing Superintendent Mike Sparks and the high “I really don’t want to maintain anything. awards or honors groups that have had a suc- May 3 is our Intermediate School, fifth and school principals. They have been at the com- I want to build and continue pushing forward. cessful marching season, as well as a success- sixth grade, concert at 7 p.m. On May Sth, at 7 petitions, including allowing students to attend What that looks like is identifying the areas that ful concert season. To achieve Sweepstakes, the district, which was held at the Pioneer Center we could be more competitive. That is having p.m. is our junior high and high school spring group had to have a superior rating at Regional auditorium. contest in the fall marching contest, and have a concert. more All Staters, having more kids doing honor We are going to have a high school band banquet on May 9th at 6:30 p.m. at the Method- “We held the district competition, and I had bands, and having more kids doing state solo superior rating on stage and superior rating in a superintendent, all three high school princi- and ensemble. Kids having those individual ac- site reading. ist church,” DeWitt noted. pals, and about 200 of the high school students complishments, where we could really build the “At state, you can custom fit some of the mu- ‘This is the first year for the banquet, where in the audience for the District Contest, which top end of the band. I want to feed those kids, sic. You work with your ensembles. But when it they will invite students and their parents was phenomenal. That’s never happened. Kids getting more kids majoring in music in college, comes to sight reading, there is no custom fit- to attend. He said they will have a slide show came out of class to come watch us perform,” he to recruit and nurture our profession,” DeWitt ting anything. You have to play what's in front and hand out most of their awards. The ma- continued. said. of you. You have to plan really well. If you are jor awards will still be given at the Brown and ‘The group had 20 seniors who set the tone He believes that is where growth in the pro- not teaching fundamentals every single day, White Assembly and Band King and Queen will for the year. With their leadership, the band has gram will come. He said that they have done a you're not going to play that easy and that is the be crowned during the Spring concert. been able to continue the winning streak that good job at teaching to the middle of the pro- true test,” DeWitt reported. DeWitt and the other directors have put Elk City has been accustomed to achieving. The gram, but he wants to start feeding the 20 per- ‘The music is new to the director and is spe- in the hard work, not only for the program, spirit seems to have been exemplary throughout cent who can be phenomenal musicians. cially written just for this specific competition. but for the students who have worked all year the year, making attitudes better and more ap- “I want to start feeding that, starting les- ‘There are benchmarks that must be met, and to achieve the honor of Sweepstakes. Being in preciative of the directors. sons, programs and getting kids on the All State each school has a different set of them. The band requires dedication to the art, whether on DeWitt has had to take on more responsibili- track. Feeding that vision, and talking to kids larger the school, the higher the benchmark will the field or in concert. It is following the senior ties because they did not replace Jung, leaving about becoming band directors. Building our be, so the music will be more difficult. The di- leadership in being consistent and proud. The them one director short for the year. Although program in that direction,” he added. rector can lead them through it during the eight reputation and tradition of the Elk City band Cain (Jordan) stepped in to help, it was not until DeWitt wants to continue to focus the pro- minutes, and DeWitt has a counting system and program continues to flourish. 3 THURSDAY, OPRIL |4, AOAA PORTICIPOTING BUSINESSES OPEN TILL 7:00 PM STOP OND VISIT THE EQSTER BUNNY 5-7 PM OT THE CHOMBER OF COMMERCE — SHOP LOCOL FOR Q CHANCE TO WIN Q LOCOL EQSTER BOSKET WORTH OVER $250 - LOOK be FOR THE LORGE EOSTER EGG ON WINDOWS OND DOORS FOR PORTICIPOTING BUSINESSES (WARING - HEARING AID SERVICES For more information please contact the (Inside Family Medical Practice) Elk City Chamber of Commerce at 580-225-0207 601 W. 3rd Street, Elk City 580-821-2299 « Lowest Prices