Guthrie Band lands three All-State selections

Congratulations to the Guthrie High School Band for having three outstanding young musicians make the NCDA All-Region and OKMEA All-State Honor Bands this year.

“This is quite an accomplishment for all young musicians to be able to claim that they are now All-State material and among the best in the State of Oklahoma,” Guthrie Band Director Rob Blackburn said.

Guthrie students compete against many other schools each year to make these honor bands. The competition consists of playing two to three prepared pieces of music, major scales, and sight reading.

Judges (made up of band directors) rate each student according to their anonymous performance (numerical placements in a random draw time). North Central Directors Association (NCDA) is the most competitive district in the entire state. Over half of the All-State Band consists of students from this district.

Guthrie took several students back on November 4 to Owasso High School to compete for the All-Region Honor Band and 1st Round All-State. Guthrie finished with three students making the Band and an additional three moved on to the second round held Dec. 2.

Out of those 5, only the three students, Jade Raper, a junior, who plays the clarinet, seniors Antonio Hernandez (trumpet) and Jet Robbins (euphonium).

They recently rehearsed and performed with the All-State Honor Band in Tulsa at the Tulsa PAC back in January.

“It was an outstanding performance to say the least. These students represented Guthrie with the most professional and standard of excellence throughout the entire process,” Blackburn added. “We are super proud of their accomplishments and continuous drive for excellence.”