The top band students from area middle and high schools were selected by their band directors to take part in the annual Region IX Honor Band performances. The performances took place Friday, Jan. 31 at Musselman Middle School.

Dr. Scott Hippensteel, director of Instrumental Studies at Shepherd University, served as the conductor for the middle school students. He also is conductor of the Shepherd Wind Ensemble, Shepherd Preparatory Orchestra, Ram Band, Symphony Band and Pep Band.

Hippensteel worked with more than 100 middle school band students from 19 middle schools. All four of Jefferson County’s middle schools had performers in the honor band. The students traveled to Musselman Middle for two full days of practice with each other before the concert Friday evening. They had received their music weeks prior to gathering together.

Students from Jefferson’s schools included, from Charles Town Middle, on flute, Jackie Arnold; clarinet, Anthony Marmorella and William Wellings; bass clarinet, Garrett Ellington; tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, Siara Smith; alto saxophone, Kevin Alegret and Sam Smith; trumpet, Hans Lazarus and Isaac Vila; tuba, Nathan Walker; percussion, William Guthrie; and piano, Anthony Marand Madeline Puppos; tenor saxophone, Sean Schoepper; trombone, Matt Long; and percussion, Alex Taughinbaugh. Harpers Ferry students included, on flute, Lilly Simmons; clarinet, Samantha Milbourne; tuba, Matt Holmes; trumpet, Jared Myers and drums, Ethan Gottlieb. Shepherdstown Middle students performing included, on flute, Kiana Jones; tenor saxophone, Joey Gentile; alto saxophone, Kate Cauvel and Donovan Frye; trumpet, Wren Parker; trombone, Noah Wirt; and percussion, Hannah Shaffer.

The band performed five numbers for the audience including Americans We, Tricycle, Home on the Range, Rhythm Stand and Last Ride of the Pony Express.

High school students were under the direction of Robert Sheldon. A recipient of numerous awards from the American School Band Director’s Association, Phi Beta Mu and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, his compositions embody a level of expression that resonates with ensembles and audiences alike. He has taught instrumental music in the Florida and Illinois public schools and has served on the faculty of Florida State University.

Fourteen high schools had students under Sheldon’s direction for the intensive two day practice prior to the evening concert. From Washington High School were, on flute, Micajah Anderson; clarinet, Sarah Bloomquist and Christian Moore; baritone, Ian MacLeod; bassoon, Logan Jay; alto saxophone, Tori Rinaldi; tenor saxophone, Calib Puller; baritone saxophone, Melissa Wermers; French horn, Lexie Kerns; trumpet, Samuel Thomas and Timmy Scott; trombone, Ian Calhoun and percussion, David Howard and Ismael Salgado. Jefferson High students included, on flute, Hannah Kelvington and Meghan O’Neill; oboe, Josie Valentine; clarinet, Brooke Dillow, Isabella Reichel and Maddi Saghy; bass clarinet, Kendra Wenner; alto saxophone, Luigi Pagano; baritone saxophone, Skylar Leaton; French horn, CJ Barbot; trumpet, Jenn Biebel, Ian Livingston and Austin Puppos; tuba, Brittany Shook and Ally Ward; trombone, Ryan Cole; and percussion Alex Lee and Aaron Winters.