Thirty-eight members of the Eisenhower Middle School Warrior Band recently auditioned for the Five State Honor Band and Five members auditioned for the Kansas John Philip Sousa Honor Band. Following a competitive audition process, 25 students were recognized with the Five State Honor Band and 2 students were recognized at the Kansas John Philip Sousa Honor Band.

19 students earned seats in the Five Honor Band: Emma Graham (flute), Anna Huerta (flute), Maria Ramos Perez (clarinet), Elvia Mejia Chan (clarinet), Naydalin Perez (clarinet), Kenia Ramirez Gaona (clarinet), Kael Dominguez (alto saxophone), Rudy Perez Panjoj (alto saxophone), Cecilia Holder (trumpet), Jose Lopez Batz (trumpet), Omar Lizarraga (trumpet), Alejandro Balderas (trumpet), Caitlin Rice (French horn), Cairo Svaty (French horn), Danna Velazquez Rodriguez (French horn), Alondra Leon Vasquez (French horn), Jonathan Covarrubias (trombone), Mason Dow (trombone), and Alberto Espinoza Villalba (tuba). Six additional students were selected as Honor Band alternates: Yazlyn Roberts (clarinet), Caleb Batz Canil (alto saxophone), Alejandra Lopez Pastor (trumpet), Aidan Vermillion (trombone), Noe Ajualip Jose (tuba), and Lydianna Calhoun (timpani).

For the Kansas John Philip Sousa Honor Band, Cecilia Holder (trumpet) earned a seat and Caitlin Rice (French horn) was recognized as an alternate. For middle-level instrumentalists, there are no “All-state” ensembles. Therefore the Kansas John Philip Sousa Honor Band  is the de facto All-state ensemble by recognizing the very best of middle-level instrumentalists in the State of Kansas through a competitive audition process

The Eisenhower Warrior Band continues to maintain a full schedule of performances and competitions. Upcoming public performances include the Community Christmas Parade and the International Pancake Day Parade downtown. The next competitive event will be the LaCrosse Music Festival where the Intermediate and Advanced Bands will compete in Large Ensemble competition along with several Small Ensemble competitors.

The recognized students above will complete their honor band experiences in December for the Five State Honor Band at Guymon High School and in January for the Kansas John Philip Sousa Honor Band at the University of Kansas. The community is encouraged to support these young musicians as they continue to represent Eisenhower Middle School in our community and across our state.