Multiple band members, vocalists recognized

The music department at Cassville High School is excited to begin a new school year.

The Wildcat Pride Marching Band has expanded to 82 members, the largest group the department has had, and it includes 16 eighthgrade volunteers.

‘We are looking forward to performing for our hometown at the football games and for festival goers at the new parade competitions we will be attending,’ a department press release said. ‘As we look forward to a new year, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the great season we had last year. We were very successful at our contests and had some awesome moments at our local concerts.’

The Wildcat Pride Marching Band competed in three parade competitions last year, Marionville Apple Fest, Stockton Walnut Festival and the Pleasant Hope Power Classic. The band received 1st place honors at each competition. For the first time, the Band also traveled to Independence, Kan., to take part in the Neewollah Marching Festival, which is a huge marching festival that attracts bands from all over the fourstate area.

‘Our ‘Wildcat Jazz’ band had another exceptional year,’ the press release said. ‘They competed at the University of Missouri, University of Central Missouri, and Pittsburgh State’s Jazz Festivals. We earned a 2 (Silver Medal) rating at MU, a 1 (Gold Medal) rating at UCM, and we received a 1 (Gold) rating at Pitt State.

‘The concert band enjoyed several fabulous performances with raving reviews from fellow students, parents and community members on the quality of the music performance.’

Three students — Jonathan Stults, Gracie Gray and Audrey Mitchell — were named to the All-Conference Band (chosen by all the music teachers in the Big 8).

Multiple students also made the All-District Band, an audition-only band composed of the best musicians from our entire competitive district– SWMO. Those students included: Colton Cox, Monty Hang, Kaitlyn Tiner, Jacie Hudson, and Aubrey Conrad (alternate).

From this group, four students placed high enough to earn the opportunity to advance and compete for a position on the All-State Band, composed of the best high school musicians in the state.

Those students were: Hang, Cox, Tiner and Hudson.

Hang was the first student in over 15 years to receive Honorable Mention (at the State Level) for his clarinet playing.

Last year, Cassville’s Show Choir focused on rebuilding and working hard, performing at several competitions during the season.

‘They are looking forward to a new year with new opportunities to compete in the area and to perform for the Cassville community,’ the press release said.

In the spring, several students competed and medaled in Solo and Ensemble in music and vocals at Districts. Earning gold medals were Monty Hang (clarinet), Jacie Hudson (marimba) and Samantha Baugus (vocals). Silver medals went to Brodie Howell, Koby Fare, Kim Hang, Raspberry Trio (Gracie Gray, Audrey Mitchell, Isabell Serano), Cole Cash, Jacie Hudson and Sterling Zucca for music, and Rebecca Oliphant, Trevis Moore and Avery Filipo for vocals.

Earning bronze medals were Wesley Garner and Allan Canales for music.

‘We are excited to announce that we had three medalists at State Solo and Ensemble,’ the release said. ‘Monty Hang and Jacie Hudson both received Gold for their music performances, and Samantha Baugus received Silver for her vocals.

‘These awards, recognition and great responses from our community has been a boost to our program and expanded its notoriety. Thanks to the hard work of our students, band and choir directors, and the support of our community our program is gaining momentum and continues to improve both in numbers and in music quality. We are looking forward to another great year in the music program.’