Two Montezuma-Cortez High School students have been selected to participate in honor bands.
Among them was Skyler Smith, who plays trumpet in the marching band, concert band and jazz band. Smith played in the Western Slope Honor Jazz Band on Jan. 6-7 and was featured as a soloist in a piece titled, “I Remember Clifford.”
The junior was also selected to participate in the Fort Lewis College Honor Band in Durango, Feb. 6-7, and the Colorado All-State Honor Band, which will meet at the University of Northern Colorado, April 9-11. He’ll also play at the M-CHS auditorium on Feb. 21 with other musicians in Southwest Colorado Concerts’ “An Evening of Jazz.”
“Playing kids who are talented is super-fun,” said Smith, who was selected to play in two honor bands last year. “At all-state, everyone is really good. It’s mind-blowing.”
Smith said that he hopes to pursue a musical career.
“After high school, I’m hoping to play music as a side job,” said Smith. “If I could make it work, I would love to play music as a profession.”
Also picked for the Fort Lewis College Honor Band and All-State Honor Band was French horn player Emily Martin. The sophomore is also the pianist in the M-CHS jazz band.
“I was pretty surprised,” said Martin, who didn’t play in honor bands as a freshman. “I didn’t think my auditions were great.”
Before their selections, Smith and Martin prepared audition music and sent in tapes. Both said they enjoyed the experience.
The M-CHS concert and jazz bands are directed by Rodney Ritthaler. Both bands will perform at M-CHS on select dates throughout the remainder of the school year.