Both Hayden Berry, senior, and Josh Berry, freshman, were selected to perform with the District Honor Band on Saturday, December 7th, at Seaman High School, at 2:00pm. Hayden and Josh both made percussion in the Gold Band. This is Hayden's 4th year making District Band and Josh’s first year.
For District Honor Choir, Maggie Davis and Addison Samek, both juniors, qualified as Soprano 2s. They will perform at the District Honor Choir concert, also on December 7th at 2 pm, but at Topeka High School. While Maggie has made the choir her first two years, this is Addison’s first year singing with the group.
Hayden commented on this honor, saying, “It's one of the biggest things that you can individually do in band and it’s something that I have always done since I was a freshman. This is my 4th year. I’m not surprised about my brother also qualifying because we both have practiced a lot. I’m looking forward to playing with the District Honor Band with all the talented musicians and being able to try out for state.”
Josh added, “I've watched my brother do it and it encouraged me to also do it. This is my first year. I wasn’t too surprised that my brother qualified. I’m looking forward to playing with the Honor Band and also having the opportunity to try out for state. To prepare, I’m going to keep cleaning up my performances on the pieces.”
Maggie Davis shared her thoughts on her accomplishment, saying, “I love choir and any opportunity that I get outside of school, I take. I’m very excited; it’s a lot of fun, and I’m also excited for Addison as well. This is my 3rd year, my second year for the upper level choir, but my freshman year I was in the middle level choir. Being a soprano is a little difficult because the majority of the female singers are sopranos so there's a lot of competition!”
Addison Samek also gave her thoughts about Honor Choir, “I’ve been in music for so long, and my first year trying out competitively was last year. It was a little nerve racking, but I thought it was a good opportunity and a really good chance to show my skills as a singer and to improve. Qualifying was absolutely amazing. I didn’t think I was gonna make it because my audition was a little rough. Hopefully I can make it to State. Competition-wise, this would be my first year in the Honor Choir, but I have been in District Choir for 4 years. As a soprano, it’s very difficult at times since there are a lot of high notes, but you mostly get the melody out of all of it, but the notes are definitely the most challenging.”