About 300 Students Participate in Wayne State’s 2024 Honor Band Festival

Approximately 300 junior high and high school students from Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota participated in Wayne State College’s Honor Band Festival held Saturday, Jan. 27.

A standing room only crowd of more than 600 people was treated to the festival’s concert finale, which featured the High School Symphonic Band, the High School Wind Ensemble, and the Junior High Honor Band.

“We are extremely humbled that so many students choose to participate in our annual Honor Band Festival,” said Dr. Josh Calkin, professor of music and director of bands at Wayne State. “The festival is one of the best in the region, and our attendance speaks volumes about our facilities and the guest clinicians who are dedicated to music education.”

Each year, the Wayne State Department of Music hosts this day-long festival for junior high and high school students from Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Students must audition in advance to participate. Throughout the day, students learn and rehearse with one of three clinicians. This year’s clinicians were Dr. Randy Neuharth, retired music instructor from Northeast Community College; Todd Cook, instrumental music director at Norfolk Public School; and Michael Genslinger, instructor of music and assistant director of bands at Wayne State.

For more information regarding music programs of study at Wayne State, contact the Wayne State Department of Music at 402-375-7359.

Students who participated in the Honor Band Festival are listed below according to group, instrument, and school. The groups below are High School Wind Ensemble, High School Symphonic Band, and Junior High Honor Band. Where applicable, alternates are also listed.

High School Wind Ensemble

Flutes
Ceilus Ibarra, Wayne
Landon Hergert, Plainview
Braxtynne Emerson, Pierce
Zoey Ebmeier, Pierce
Isabelle Zelazny, Bishop Neumann
Joslyn Morgan, Lincoln Southeast
Madeline Meehan, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Eryn Gregoski, Palmer
Grace Flannigan, Westwood (Sloan, IA)

Oboe
Sidney Gawrych, St. Paul Public

Clarinets
Emily Huarcas, South Sioux City
Rosalie Tvrdy, Raymond Central
Henry Houska, Bennington
Kennedy Kaufman, Westwood (Sloan, IA)
Anna Gokie, Bishop Neumann
London Brink, Norfolk
Gracie Dabney, Arlington

Bass Clarinets
Caitlyn Camp, Arlington
Sam Robinson, Norfolk

Contra-Alto Clarinet
Jose Ramirez, Wisner-Pilger

Alto Saxophones
Claire Hughes, Fremont
Rachel Lannin, Malcolm
Laura Kinnison, Wisner-Pilger
Petra Van Cleave, Norris (Firth, NE)
Oliver Persinger, Ponca
Saul Pena, Norfolk

Tenor Saxophones
Alejandro Villagomez, Fremont
Conner Fick, Norfolk

Baritone Saxophones
Weston Hoffman, Plainview
Olivia Binde, Scotland (SD)

Horns
Krista Jorgensen, Gayville-Volin (SD)
Liliana Martic, Bennington
Hallie Masek, Bishop Neumann

Trumpets
Aidan Bohnert, Wayne
Nate Kaiser, Norfolk
Olivia Hanson, Wayne
Evelyn Janke, Norfolk
Josiah Manna, Trinity Classical Academy
Norah Armstrong, Wayne
Brady Carnell, Ponca
Payton Ebmeier, Pierce
Savannah Glause, Palmer

Trombones
Spencer Sindt, Pierce
Lexi Grimes, Bennington
Amelia Pinkelman, Norfolk
Clint Heger, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Marley Akin-Olugbade, Norfolk Catholic
Noah Asbury, Norfolk

Euphoniums
Robert Ortiz, Raymond Central
Alex Gokie, Bishop Neumann
Dylan Rapp, Bennington

Tubas
Zack Kloostra, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Elliot Jorgensen, Gayville-Volin (SD)
Spencer Byars, Bennington

Percussion
Dayanera Rullo, Columbus
Katie Miller, Bennington
Elliot Kane, Trinity Classical Academy
Ryan Butler, Bennington
Brady Jedlicka, North Bend
Rhealeigh Bauder, Westwood (Sloan, IA)
Ryan Bassett, Norfolk

High School Symphonic Band

Flutes
Zenita Philip, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Kristina Gevorkova, Lincoln Southeast
Kei Meister, Lawton-Bronson (IA)
Makayla Shefl, Pierce
Lea Golas, Gayville-Volin (SD)
Grace Hansen, Ponca
Layla Kern, Blair
Emily Lubberstedt, Winside
Esther Hogrefe, Stanton
Lenora Kester, Summerland
Julia Vrana, Bishop Neumann
Jessica Sandell, Malcolm
Evelyn Vanek, Millard South
Cora Bartos, Columbus Lakeview
Gabi Livingston, Bennington

(Flute Alternates)
Hannah Dodge, Bloomfield
Haylee Carlisle, Norfolk

Oboe
Cheyenne Veach, Central City

Clarinets
Aubrie Zimmerman, Pierce
Joie Janssen, Sterling
Morgan Johnson, Norfolk
Zoii Swantek, Norfolk
Kimberly Bassett, Norfolk
Elias Bartos, Gayville-Volin (SD)
Olivia McClurg, Arlington
Stella Ippensen, Norfolk
Brooklynn Lowe, Ponca
Teagan Stahr, Centennial (Utica, NE)
Jocelyn Lime, Bennington
Tyler Ward, Crete
Josh Kloostra, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Kaylyn Preston, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Kassidy Hymer, St. Paul Public

Bass Clarinets
Georgia Ramsey, Wilcox-Hildreth
Emma Huntley, Bennington

(Bass Clarinet Alternates)
Teagan Stahr, Centennial (Utica, NE)
Trey Hunter, Blair

Alto Saxophones
Jack Holtorf, Bennington
Tanner Draayer, Lawton-Bronson (IA)
Jayna Prochaska, Pierce
Kailee Feenstra, Norfolk
Kalvin Sindelar, St. Edward
Caiden Bredehoft, Norfolk

(Alto Sax Alternates)
Addison Pearl, Sunshine Bible Academy
Maya Kabes, Bishop Neumann

Tenor Saxophones
Tristan Anderson, North Bend
Anna Pry, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Aveyana Simon-Cook, Ponca

Baritone Saxophones
Brody Dibbert, St. Paul Public
Callaway Ward, Norfolk

Horns
Aubrie Burke, Norfolk
Austin Bassett, Norfolk

Trumpets
Nevaeh Schleicher, Palmer
Lance Kelly, Lawton-Bronson (IA)
Truman Stanley, Blair
Chloe Scheer, Palmer
Audrey Anderson, St. Paul Public
Drew Hanson, Lawton-Bronson (IA)
Jackson Jensen, Lyons-Decatur Northeast
Jaron Zurek, Blair
Bradley Lentz, Ponca
Makenna Mottl, Palmer
Emma Anderson, Columbus
Emma Schuele, Central City
Leonardo Quezada-Almaraz, South Sioux City
Patrick Nelson, Sunshine Bible Academy

(Trumpet Alternates)
Samuel Jessen, Stanton
Tallyn Ritchison, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)

Trombones
Marissa Tvrdy, Raymond Central
Owan Watson, Sunshine Bible Academy
Andy Cook, Norfolk
Ryker Dahlkoetter, Norfolk
Kallie Wright, Central City
Cael Matthias, Westwood (Sloan, IA)
Lissy Spangler, Blair
Natalie Burke, Norfolk

(Trombone Alternates)
Gavin Joy, South Sioux City
Nathaniel Johnson, Wakefield

Euphoniums
Connor Schamp, Ponca
Dean Young, Wayne
Colin Wambold, Sterling

(Euphonium Alternate)
Lindsey Niemann, Wayne

Tubas
Anson Oswald, Trinity Classical Academy
Blaze Blauhorn, Palmer
Nate Buettner, Norfolk
Keaton Vavra, Pierce

(Tuba Alternates)
Jensen Manz, Bennington
Michael Ney, Ponca

Percussion
Adeline Bobby, Bloomfield
Mollie Lage, West Monona (IA)
Nyamal Kantai, Wayne
Eli Lilard, Norfolk
Jacie Johnson, Bennington
Gavin Darnold, Bennington
Jose Rodriguez, Villalobos
Evan Simonsen, Palmer

(Percussion Alternates)
Avery Hall, Sunshine Bible Academy
Jose Rodriguez, Villalobos
Waren Coles, Bennington

Junior High Honor Band

Flutes
Cadence Lambert, Chase County
Lillian Rugg, Norfolk Junior High
Savanna Griffith, Christ Lutheran
Campbell Mogck, Scotland (SD)
Isabelle Robertson, Christ Lutheran
Sanjay Ohmkumar, Westside Middle School
Zoey Troxell, Chase County
Hazel Spreeman, St. Paul's Lutheran
Michaela Quinn, Bishop Neumann
Lily Gordon, Lifegate Christian School
Rebekah Steiner, Palmer
Linny Kapels, Christ Lutheran
Grace Stromquist, Westside Middle School
Karlee Rohan, Ponca
Jillian Buettner, Norfolk Junior High
Sophia Mackey, Norfolk Junior High
Savannah Andrews, Otte-Blair
Ella Larkins, Central City
Aliza Schwede, Bishop Neumann
Trinity Christiansen, Pierce

(Flute Alternates)
Evy Edlund, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Lillian Jessen, Stanton

Oboe
Alexis Meeks, Pender

Clarinets
Avery Wragge, Pierce
Madison Kolbeck, Pender
Abby Reinert, Lifegate Christian School
Katelyn Markise, Bennington South Middle
Shyann Zmek, Palmer
Sophia Gillispie, Westside Middle School
Titus Kane, Trinity Classical Academy
Donnie Schulte, Hartington Cedar Catholic
Sidney McGuire, Norfolk Junior High
Emma Stromp, Westside Middle School
Sydni Strawn, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Brooke Schaeffer, Scotland (SD)
Sawyer Konert, Pierce
Emily Lyons, East Butler
Mira Wampler, Lifegate Christian School
Anna Hansen, Bishop Neumann
Sequoia Semm, Pierce
Sylvie Boldt, Lifegate Christian School
Abigail Jensen, Norfolk Junior High
Alice Pawchareune, South Sioux City
Emma Herchenbach, Norfolk Middle School
Avery Schamp, Ponca

(Clarinet Alternates)
Ashlin Bacon, Ponca
Kathryn Mathiasen, Westside Middle School

Bass Clarinets
Ingrid Perez, Wakefield
Abigail Stigge, Westside Middle School
Angel Alvarado-Mendez, Ponca
Braelyn Wiesner, Bishop Neumann

Alto Saxophones
Megan Asbury, Norfolk Junior High
Amelia Wragge, Norfolk Middle School
Nathan Solorio, Norfolk Junior High
Grady Gayer, Lifegate Christian School
Taya Olesen, Grand Island Northwest
Jadelynn Gifford, Osceola
Piper Conroy, Christ Lutheran
Gemini Mickley, Palmer
Keegan Barr, Norfolk Junior High
Kendall Matteo, Norfolk Junior High
Blake Faust, Norfolk Junior High
Alexis Urban, Christ Lutheran

(Alto Sax Alternates)
Josiah Mitchell, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Jennie Mejia, Summerland

Tenor Saxophones
Delilah Henery, Norfolk Junior High
Jase Frankl, Lifegate Christian School
Alese Zelazny, Bishop Neumann
Kyson Lammers, Hartington Cedar Catholic
Rachel Balcom, Grand Island Northwest
Jackson Miller, Lifegate Christian School

(Tenor Sax Alternates)
Aubrey Bryant, Christ Lutheran
Tim Moser, West Monona

Baritone Saxophones
Maria Gokie, Bishop Neumann
Josh Luedert, Pender

Horns
Rigley Johnson, Westside Middle School
Caleb Brown, St. Paul's Lutheran
Marcus Dregalla, Pender
Nora Peithman, Thayer Central
Juliana Bollmeyer, Stanton
Benjamin Wittgow, Stanton

Trumpets
Flor Koinzan, St. Paul's Lutheran
Jenna Probasco, Norfolk Junior High
Wynn Pfiel, Pierce
Sara Odell, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Brecken Sedivy, Bancroft-Rosalie
Kinley Adams, Norfolk Junior High
Reagan Sandness, Sunshine Bible Academy
Micah Brown, St. Paul's Lutheran
Brook Snyder, Bancroft-Rosalie
Collin Ashley, Westside Middle School
Charlotte Timmons, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Dawson Dresden, Hartington Cedar Catholic
Finn Jacobson, Westside Middle School
Kayden Tyan, Palmer
Mia Mitchell, Grand Island Northwest

(Trumpet Alternates)
Layla Miller, Johnson-Brock
Lily DeCastro, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)

Trombones
Brooke Podany, Pierce
Carter Swenson, Norfolk Junior High
Amaryn Bodlak, Pender
Adam Pinkelman, Norfolk Junior High
Jaden Luu, South Sioux City
Noah Gawrych, St. Paul Public
Marisa Guevara, South Sioux City
Beatrice Bobby, Bloomfield
Hope Zuercher, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)
Noah Brockhaus, Lawton-Bronson (IA)
Amy Solorio, Norfolk Middle School
Michael Wittry, Westside Middle School
Memmorie Singleton, Centennial (Utica, NE)
Madison Perry, Lifegate Christian School

(Trombone Alternates)
Oliver White, Lawton-Bronson (IA)
Nole Anderson, Wausa

Euphoniums
Jace Brown, Norfolk Junior High
Levi Fiscus, Hartington Cedar Catholic
Jack Heim, Summerland
Brody Bierman, Norfolk Junior High
Jack Lane, Palmer

(Euphonium Alternates)
Patrik Cunningham, Stanton
Julianne Rassel, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA)

Tubas
Jaxon Dickey, Stanton
Wyatt Smith, Otte-Blair
Brayden Waterbury, Ponca
Amelia Herley, Norfolk Middle School

Percussion
Ike Carlson, Christ Lutheran
Jonah Thone, Norfolk Junior High
Sophia Thone, Norfolk Junior High
Amelia Buhlke, Central City
Blake Thoene, Christ Lutheran
Max Wegner, Westside Middle School
Stella Garman, Westside Middle School
Chase Pankoke, Centennial (Utica, NE)
Madux Cleveland, Norfolk Junior High
Max Wegner, Westside Middle School
Rylan Carriker, Norfolk Junior High

(Percussion Alternates)   
Kerrigan Johannes, Arlington
Lanie DeBrie, Trinity Classical Academy