Today RBHS band left for Moberly, Mo. to compete in All-District band and All-District jazz band auditions.  A few hours after performing, participants found out whether they made it into either band. Both bands then held their first practices.
This is senior Annie Murphey’s third and final year of participating in the All-District band. She appreciates the opportunity to audition in front of people because it allows her to practice overcoming nerves and performing in front of strangers.
“It’s really nice to be able to play with people in the area outside of your band, especially when you get to play with other more experienced players than the ones you maybe play with everyday,” Murphey said. “It’s kind of neat. You can hear your instrument, like so many other people playing it, especially so well, and so that’s probably why I like it a lot.”
The bands will hold only one other practice on Jan. 14, also the day of the performance. Members of the All-District band may audition for All-State band on Dec. 3. Likewise members of the All-District jazz band may audition for the All-State jazz band on the same date. Many who achieved honorable mention status may also audition for state depending the instrument.
“It was fun and the competition was good this year, and I’m looking forward to state now,” Murphey said.
Members of All-District band are below. Their chair placement is in parentheses.

Tuba: Alexander Flanagin (1)
Percussion option 1: Joel Pruitt (3)
*Percussion option 2: David Wang (1), Methma Udawatta (2), Dalton Maggard (3)
Clarinet: Jacob Freyermuth (2), Meganne Eaton (15), Nidhi Khurana (17)
Trumpet: Jonathan Ackmann (1), Daniel Shapiro (3), Andrew Scavone (5)
Alto sax: Ben Bergstrom (1), Kaleb Jacks (2), Sean Himmelberg (3)
Flute: Christina Wang (1), Elena Horvit (5), Emily Thomas (6), Leyna Craigmile (9)
Horn: Christian Ackmann (1), Erin Schaffer (5), Annie Murphey (6)
Oboe: Molly Krueger (2)
Bari sax: Julian Vizitei (1)
Bass clarinet: Dominic Lardizabal (2)
Members of All-District jazz band
Trumpet: Adam Roebuck (1), Daniel Shapiro (2), Andrew Scavone (4), Jonathan Ackmann (5)
Rhythm: Dalton Maggard (piano), Walter Beeson (bass)
Trombone: Mitchell Taylor (5, bass)
Saxophone: Kaleb Jacks (1st alto), Ben Bergstrom (2nd alto), Diego Huaman (1st tenor), Joseph Tesoro (2nd tenor), Clark Gribble (Bari sax)
Honorable mentions for both bands

Chandler Randoll (tuba), Shaun Gladney (percussion), Andrew Selva (trumpet), Jessica Klein (trumpet, jazz trumpet), Stephanie Bonham (alto sax, bari sax), Tim Diamond (flute), Sarah Hudson (flute), Raven Birk (flute), Dominic Lardizabal (rhythm – piano), Joel Pruitt (rhythm – drums), Greyson Holliday (trombone), Amanda Eaton (trombone), Dmitriy Rozenblat (trombone), Mitchell Taylor (trombone), Sean Himmelberg (1st alto)
*RBHS musicians took all three spots in Option 2 percussion in All-District band.
**RBHS musicians took all five saxophone seats in All-District Jazz band.
By Avantika Khatri