BAND MAKES HISTORY

Students chosen to perform in All-State Conference in April

For the first time in its history, the Torrington High School band will perform at an all-state musical event.

The achievement allows the band to participate in the highly regarded All-State Conference, organized each year by the Connecticut Music Educators Association.

The 100-member band will perform with an honors ensemble, according to the school’s website.

To highlight the band’s success, the Torrington City Council invited members of the band to Monday’s meeting, where they were recognized for their musical skills.

“It’s so nice to start the meeting on such a positive note,” said Mayor Elinor Carbone.

“It’s a good way to end my senior year,” said Jayson Bubel, who plays saxophone. He said he plans to study music education in college.

Band Director Wayne Splettstoeszer, who has taught at the school for 22 years, wrote in a statement that the band has 100 members. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to join, the website said.

Of the six students who attended the recognition ceremony, two are seniors and four are freshmen.

“It felt huge. As a freshman, I know I’m into something good. It’s a nice way to start out with such good news,” said Matthew Ammerman, who plays tuba.

City Council members were full of

praise for the young musicians. Councilor Anne Ruwet said she had seen the band perform several years ago at the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington.

“It was such an honor to see the band recognized that way. They wore their wool uniforms with great pride,” Ruwet said. “It will always be a fond memory.”

Splettstoeszer said the band “was selected (for the conference) as part of a blind audition where the committee listens to submitted recordings without knowing what school is playing. Once the committee selects the winning recordings, only then do they find out what school was selected.”

Senior Julia Fritz, the band’s drum major, said she’s not sure yet where she’s going to college next year. “I got early acceptance at four colleges,” she said “I haven’t decided which one to choose.”

Music education helps make students more successful, educators said. Those “who are enrolled in public school music programs score (on average) 107 points higher than those who are not musicians,” according to the College Entrance Examination Board, which governs SAT tests,” the band’s website sayss.

The band will play at the conference on April 12 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, located at 100 Columbus Blvd. Tickets will be available at the door. The cost has not yet been announced.

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Members of the Torrington High School marching band take part in preseason practice in August. They will be part of the school’s ensemble, which will perform at the All-State Conference in April.

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media / Members of the Torrington High School Band were honored Monday by the City Council for their invitation to the All-State Conference. From left are students Kayla Damon, Jacob Cousens, Matthew Ammerman, Nathan Swart, Julia Fritz, Jayson Bubel and THS Band Director Wayne Splettstoeszer.