Freshman Brooke Owen was one of the only freshmen band members to get into All-State band. From March 3 to March 5, Brooke traveled all the way to Athens, Ga. to perform with other students at her level. There she learned many new things and made a few friends.

Brooke said she was not too nervous about performing. She said, “Whenever I perform, the only thing that ruins it for me is performance anxiety. But the audience size wasn’t huge for my group. Plus, I knew most of the people in the crowd were caring family members or band instructors, so it was comforting.”

The days before her performance, a director worked with the band. They taught the band new techniques and refreshed some new ones. Brooke said, “He taught a lot about balance within the entire band and manipulating your own quirks on your instrument.”

While Brooke was there, she said she also learned techniques from her new friends and got to know new people on a deeper level. She said, “Socializing with the rest of the kids was a huge struggle for me. I am almost scared to talk to people who I perceive as better than me, so I think that stopped me from making a lot of  friends. But, I was able to overcome that by just letting go and initiating a conversation. It’s not hard once you’ve already gathered the courage to say ‘hi.’ And because of that, I made friends with the oboist one chair ahead of me, Hannah. She was so sweet and modest. I really enjoyed talking with her and hearing her play. I learned to blend my sound better and few new trill tricks. When you see so many talented, wonderful people, you can’t help but be influenced.”

Brooke said she felt she had a successful performance. She said, “Out of six songs all with different styles and quirks, this question is really hard. I’m a sucker for lyrical pieces, so I guess my favorite song from the concert would be ‘Red Covered Bridge’ by Robert Sheldon. I loved every moment of the experience I had.”

She is hoping to get into All-State band next year. Brooke said, “I just want to make it. It’s as simple as that. Though, it would be nice to be in the highest band or maybe even the full orchestra. Next  time I perform, I really want to try and add more emotion to my music and listen more to the lower voices of the band.” She said the one thing she loved most about Athens was the food and that this encourages her even more to audition again for next year. She said, ” The food in Athens, Ga., is really good if you’re looking for a meal vacation.”

Brooke said she really encourages the rising freshman to audition for All-State band next year. She said, “The band is such a wonderful family, so they should look forward to the acceptance they will receive by all ages in the band.”

For those who auditioned and did not get in and feel discouraged to audition again next year, she said, “It’s not my place to say how or why you get into All-State or improve. I believe every player is amazing in their own ways and maybe the strict All-State score sheet just didn’t get that. I guess I would say never give up or let it get you down if you don’t get into All-State.”