St. Francis Student Selected for All-State Honor Band
The Kansas John Philip Sousa Honor Band is a statewide honor band open to students in grades 6-9. Participants in the band are selected by audition and are among the most talented middle level musicians in the state of Kansas. Of the over 350 students who auditioned this year, SFCHS freshman Sarah Whitmore was selected to play flute in the Red Band.
This was Sarah’s second year to be chosen for the Honor Band. Competition was stiff, with musicians from large as well as small school districts across the state auditioning for a coveted chair in the band.
Sarah spent several weeks practicing and perfecting the music for the honor band. She then traveled to the University of Kansas on January 22 and 23 where she rehearsed with fellow honor band members Friday evening and Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon, she performed in a public concert at the Lied Center on the University of Kansas campus. The band was under the direction of Dr. Craig Fuchs, Director of Bands at Pittsburg State University.
Sarah is a music student of Debbie Fiala, Music Director at St. Francis Community High School. She also receives private instruction from Neal Russell, retired band director in Oberlin.
