High school, middle school musicians perform at festivals

On April 1, the Exeter High School Band participated in the Missouri Small School Band Directors Association evaluative festival in Lamar, receiving a 1, or exemplary, rating from all three judges. It is the first Exemplary rating at festival in at least 20 years for a band from Exeter.

On April 18, Exeter Middle School students participated in the Mid-America Music Festival at Pitt State in Pittsburg, Kan. A total of 18 out of 19 solo and small groups received a 1 rating. They included:

Kenzi Davidson, Flute

Abbilynn Farish, Flute

Xander Jarvis, Flute

Addison Arivett, Clarinet

Leah Atkinson, Clarinet

Kameron Mestas, Clarinet

Reesie Lyons, Alto Sax

Emma Hall, Alto Sax

Gabby Studdard, Alto Sax

Elleigh Harmon, Tenor Sax

Jacob Stevenson, Trumpet

Lillian Rogers, French Horn

Bryson Lyons, Trombone

Allie Stephens, Snare Drum

Emma Higgs, Snare Drum

Everlee Golubski, Snare Drum

Sax Trio

Percussion Quartet

On Jan., 4 Exeter Students were selected to perform with the SW District Middle School Band. Students are selected via audition against students from 45 schools of all sizes in SW Missouri. Those selected were:

Leah Atkinson, 4th chair clarinet, 7th grade

Kameron Mestas, 20th chair clarinet, 7th grade

Emma Hall, 2nd chair Tenor Sax and 1st Alternate Alto Sax, 7th Grade

Jacob Stevenson, 9th chair trumpet, 8th grade

The Exeter band program consists of 43 students in grades 6-12. 

“The band looks forward to moving into a new custom-designed band room and rehearsal space for the 2026-2027 school year, big enough to accommodate the growth of the music program at Exeter,” a band press release said.