Band students take part in scholarship program
The Hot Springs Concert Band welcomes seven students from four area high schools to the band’s 2012 Summer Scholarship Program.
Based on applications and auditions, these juniors and seniors have been asked to play with the band from May 31 through July 9, attending six rehearsals and three concerts.
During this time, they will be scored.
At the July 23 concert, the band will award the top three scoring players scholarships amounting to $ 1,000, $ 750 and $ 500.
The students are Kayland Childress, trumpet, of Fountain Lake High School, Will Moore, percussion, of Hot Springs High School, and Mack Nickles, bass clarinet, of Lakeside High School.
Students of Lake Hamilton High School are Jennifer Brockett, clarinet, Alex Evans, trombone, Jay Hudson, trumpet, and Kaitlyn Carruth, alto saxophone.
While the students readily admit that the chance to have extra cash in their pockets is an incentive to apply for the scholarships, they also express other reasons that encompass the essence of this community of players.
“Music is not a part of my life. It is my life. Music helps me think straight, to get away from the chaos of the world,” Childress said.
“Honestly, coming to play with other people who share your love for band is something you cannot buy,” Moore said.
“When playing, I can pour my heart out and lose myself in a melody,” Brockett said.
“When I can’t tell anyone how I feel, I just whip out my trumpet and play,” Hudson said.
The students participated in the June 11 concert and will take part in the June 25 and July 9 HSCB’s summer concert season.
The next concert in June will start at 7 p. m. and the July concert will start at 6: 45 p. m.
Admission is free and the concerts are held at Whittington Park.
Call 984- 1678 for information.