Light, trumpet, action

Last month, Rappahannock County High School senior Lauren Light began an exciting journey. Her first step was her January audition for a spot in the District 14 Band. In this fullweekend competition, Light earned first chair in trumpet and a qualifying slot for state competitions.

“Everyone had one day to learn this very challenging music,” Light said. “It was very fun, but it was the longest day ever. I know, it’s really to build us as musicians and allow us to play at a higher level while we’re still in high school. It works.”

From the District 14 success, Light’s challenges increased significantly in preparation for state- level judges. “You get your piece of music 20 days prior,” Light said. “In that time frame, I also had the Bland competition and an audition for trumpet studio at Virginia Tech.”

With so many pressures, Light had to prioritize. “I was stressing. They put these pieces together just for states; no one has ever seen them before.”

The intimidation factor was extra high when Light walked onto the James Madison University campus last Saturday ( Feb. 23) for her first moment of judging. “When you walk in the practice room, there are about 100 trumpet players. They are all really good. You sit there until they call your number, then you’re alone in a room with a music stand and can’t see the judge behind an opaque screen. At their selected tempo, you must play a scale and your prepared piece. From that judging, you go into another room for the chromatic scale and the sight- reading.”

Light returned triumphantly to Rappahannock with 32nd place in the state. With more than 90 trumpet competitors, the Panther trumpeter made her peers and director proud. “Mr. DeBoer worked with me on so many things, and I feel like it went well.”