Newton County School System (NCSS) students were out in full force recently representing the school district in the Georgia Music Educator Association’s (GMEA) 2023 District IV Honor Band. This year 49 very talented NCSS middle and high school students were selected to participate in the prestigious bands.
“Students earning a place in this ensemble are among the most accomplished instrumentalists in our district,” said Cousins Middle School band director Christine Kraemer. “They had an opportunity to prepare selections for a concert and work with accomplished clinicians from across the country. In addition, they had the chance to perform alongside students from DeKalb, Rockdale, Morgan, and Jasper county schools, Decatur City Schools and several private schools.”
According to Eastside High School band director, Alan Fowler, the students auditioned for the District IV Honor Band in December.
“The middle school students were required to play four major scales, their chromatic scale, and an etude,” Fowler explained. “They also had to sight-read a new piece of music. High school freshmen and sophomores had to play eight major scales, their chromatic scales, and a challenging sight-reading. Juniors and seniors performed 12 major scales plus a more challenging etude and sight-reading pieces.”
Fowler added that participating in the Honor Band provides students an excellent opportunity to learn and grow as musicians.
“First, I believe any time students are able to perform for an appreciative crowd there is great benefit,” said Fowler. “But beyond that, participating in the honor band audition process is a tremendously valuable experience and actually playing in an honor band allows students to sit next to, learn with, and perform alongside other fine musicians from across the district. Working with other directors besides their own affords students the opportunity to learn from folks who may say things differently and have other approaches to directing than their own directors. When kids go back to their home school, what they can share is priceless and helps their peers at home improve. Honor bands are a long and valued tradition around the globe.”
NCSS students selected for the 2023 GMEA District IV Honor Bands are listed below.
| Name | School | Instrument |
| Justice Nicholson | Cousins Middle | Flute |
| Jordyn Clark | Cousins Middle | Clarinet |
| Rainey Bailey | Cousins Middle | Clarinet |
| Dajonah Hollie | Cousins Middle | Clarinet |
| Taylor Nealy | Cousins Middle | Clarinet |
| Nicole Galloway | Cousins Middle | Clarinet |
| Jade Johnson | Cousins Middle | Bass Clarinet |
| Justin Hollie | Cousins Middle | Alto Saxophone |
| Presley Haney | Cousins Middle | Tenor Saxophone |
| Jennah Waters | Cousins Middle | Tenor Saxophone |
| Silas Bogues | Cousins Middle | Tenor Saxophone |
| Mya Thomas | Cousins Middle | Trumpet |
| Karina Carrillo Lezama | Cousins Middle | Trumpet |
| Joyce Li | Cousins Middle | Horn |
| Emily Wheeler | Cousins Middle | Horn |
| Ray Holt | Cousins Middle | Trombone |
| Claire Young | Cousins Middle | Tuba |
| Marise Eason | Cousins Middle | Percussion |
| Jai Ferdelius | Cousins Middle | Percussion |
| Clark Holder | Cousins Middle | Percussion |
| Dylan Owensby | Indian Creek Middle | Tuba |
| Aeryn Barrentine | Liberty Middle | Oboe |
| Kyle Stoddard | Liberty Middle | Tuba |
| Annslee Dunn | Newton County Theme School | Trombone |
| Julia Kolt | Veterans Memorial Middle | Horn |
| Rafael Soria | Veterans Memorial Middle | Flute |
| Sam Dage | Alcovy High | Clarinet |
| Daniel Dunn | Alcovy High | Trumpet |
| Norman Monte | Alcovy High | Tuba |
| Shellie Xu | Eastside High | Flute |
| Chadni Patel | Eastside High | Flute |
| Duncan Jourdan | Eastside High | Clarinet |
| Hanah Daudet | Eastside High | Clarinet |
| Jahlel Peoples | Eastside High | Bass Clarinet |
| Jacob David | Eastside High | Alto Saxophone |
| Ava Teasley | Eastside High | Alto Saxophone |
| Logan Putnam | Eastside High | Tenor Saxophone |
| Jonathan Sugg | Eastside High | Horn |
| Joseph Bickel | Eastside High | Euphonium |
| Eathan Xu | Eastside High | Percussion |
| John Singley | Eastside High | Flute |
| Connor Scott | Eastside High | Baritone Saxophone |
| Joshua Herron | Eastside High | Trumpet |
| Brendan Everling | Eastside High | Trumpet |
| Wesley Rains | Eastside High | Horn |
| Katie Beth Fowler | Eastside High | Horn |
| Mary Grace Schlueter | Eastside High | Trombone |
| Rachel Hilliard | Newton High | Euphonium |
| Terry McKeel | Newton High | Alto Saxophone |
| Jiovanni Tuzzo | Newton High | Trombone |
| Tyler Justice | Newton High | Trombone |
| Si’Yeed Anderson |
Newton High | Flute |
