CHARLOTTE — Nineteen students from Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools’ band programs performed in the All-District Band Clinic Jan. 25-26 in Belmont. The event, hosted by Stuart W. Cramer High School, was sponsored by the South Central District Bandmasters Association. MACS students joined more than 400 other students selected from area band programs.
Performing from Holy Trinity Middle School were Genie Alvarado (flute), Campbell McClellan (clarinet), Sarah Chittenden (French horn), Jonathan Mathis (French horn), Nathan Molloy (bass clarinet) and Jack Fitzpatrick (trombone). Performers from Charlotte Catholic High School were Matthew Sie (saxophone), Patrick Macalintal (clarinet), Niko Badalamenti (saxophone), Austin Munn (trumpet), Corey Brenner (bass clarinet), Casey McGuire (baritone saxophone), Megan Sie (clarinet), Astrid Salinas (percussion), Rachel Sarvey (clarinet), Emma Joseph (flute), Jane Corah (clarinet), Ian Adamson (euphonium) and Sophie Roper (percussion).
They rehearsed for more than 10 hours on Friday and five on Saturday to perform a concert for family and friends. Along with performing with top district musicians, the senior high school students worked with renowned high school band director Dr. Jerry Markock from Athens Drive High School in Raleigh.
Holy Trinity students Genie Alvarado (bassoon), Jonathan Mathis (French horn) and Sarah Chittenden (French horn) qualified to audition for the All-State Band, giving them the opportunity to play with the best in the state under the direction of expert clinicians.
Charlotte Catholic students Matthew Sie, (saxophone), Patrick Macalintal (clarinet), Megan Sie (clarinet), Corey Brenner (bass clarinet), Casey McGuire (baritone saxophone), Ian Adamson (euphonium), Astrid Salinas (percussion) and Sophie Roper (percussion) also qualified to audition for the All-State Band.
— Timothy Cook
WINSTON-SALEM — Students at St. Leo School celebrated the second annual Cultural Awareness Day March 18. This year’s festivities included music, dance and artwork from a number of world cultures, as well as an international bake sale to benefit the Daughters of Padre Pio in Benin, West Africa.
This religious order, led by Mother Madeleine Koty (sister of the school’s own French teacher, Georgette Koty), is dedicated to caring for and educating abused orphans. Pictured are: (from left) Aidan Vu, Jessa Pacholke, Nevaeh Fears, Cooper Smits and William Grissom.
— Photo provided by Melissa Kinsley