Student musicians from Archuleta School District (ASD) recently showcased their talents on the regional stage, participating in two major band events hosted by Fort Lewis College.
Both the Pagosa Springs Middle School (PSMS) and Pagosa Springs High School (PSHS) programs represented the district with distinction during a busy spring season.
On Feb. 6 and 7, students from grades seven through 12 traveled to Durango for the Fort Lewis Honor Band. This prestigious event brought together top musicians from across Colorado and New Mexico to rehearse and perform under the direction of esteemed collegiate conductors.
The middle school was well-represented by several talented individuals who earned their spots in the ensemble under the guest direction of Spencer Hannibal-Smith from the University of Nevada, Reno:
• Arianna Talamante (clarinet).
• Miles Dempster (alto saxophone).
• Lance Anderson (alto saxophone).
• Micah Tyler (trumpet).
• Kiley Braun (euphonium).
At the high school level, local musicians underwent a rigorous audition process for acceptance.
Seven PSHS students were chosen for the Blue Band, under the direction of Malcolm Jones from University of Connecticut. Special recognition was also given to Kelly Anne Kubelka (flute) and Jackson Cheney (alto saxophone), who were selected for the Skyhawk Band, the festival’s top-tier ensemble directed by Dr. Justin Hubbard, director of bands at Fort Lewis College.
Reflecting on the weekend, local directors noted the immense growth students experience during the event. Despite having only nine hours of rehearsal time over two days, the participants made remarkable musical progress before their final performance.
The musical momentum continued into March as the PSHS Jazz Band attended the Fort Lewis Jazz Festival on March 5.
This adjudicated festival provided students with the opportunity to perform for a panel of four professional judges. The day concluded with an evening concert, featuring the top student ensembles and a special performance by the FLC Jazz Band alongside the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band.
“The jazz ensemble, featuring [PSHS performers] Cole, Jackson, Treyson, Brianna, Canaan, Israel, Travers, Benett and Mason, delivered a solid performance,” commented Leo Baughman, PSHS music director. “Competing alongside 15 schools from the Four Corners region, the PSHS Jazz Band received ‘2’ ratings in all categories, signifying a high-quality performance.”
These back-to-back successes highlight the dedication of the ASD’s music students and directors, as they continue to foster a culture of artistic excellence in Pagosa Springs.
The PSMS bands, under the direction of Malinda Burnett, and PSHS bands, under the direction of Leo Baughman, will complete their performance year by showcasing their work this semester in the combined ASD Combined Band Concert in the PSHS auditorium at 6:30 p.m. on May 7.
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