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- Summer UPDATE-
Year in Review and Looking Forward
Wind Ensemble
"First of all, I love the energy! I like this piece (Radiance)!! Good job with the asymmetric meter. English Folk Song Suite was written for the British Army Bands which had anywhere from 18 to 26 players so there was a lot of part sharing. This piece lives in both the march and dance world. You are doing a nice job of keeping the folksong like themes nice and light and then the maestoso march like sections much bolder and march like. This flex arrangement works pretty well!" Gary Brandes, Judge
Woodwind Chamber Ensemble
"Knowing how little rehearsal time you had for band and likely even less for Woodwind Chamber Ensemble, you pulled together a great performance! These students have been well taught from an early age so all of the pieces were still there to present a musical performance. The literature was fantastic! Congratulations on making this group happen again!" Paul Fliege, Judge
Concert Band
"Impressive performance considering the unusual circumstances. Phrase endings and seams in the music were well shaped. Characteristic sounds all around--very well played!" Michael Farris, Judge
Symphonic Band
"Overall legato style (Beneath the Sacred Light). Balance and blend is a strength. Nice group. Great exposure to this style of playing. Great energy (Into the Clouds) and interpretation of this piece. The group plays with great enthusiasm. The group is obviously receiving fine leadership, mentoring, and encouragement." Shane Fuller, Judge
Brass Choir "Each performer is working to do their part. The desire to do well is in place. Strong Independent lines are being performed with great emotion. Key on the positive and refine the collective body of work. Your command and spirit was reflected today. Curnow could have written this piece to fit this band. Congratulations." Jim Oliver, Judge 
Congratulations, All State Musicians!!!!! Please take a moment to congratulate the Kirkwood High School All State Musicians! These students were initially selected for the SLSMEA All Suburban honor band by audition which qualified them to audition for the Missouri Band Masters All State Concert Band and the Missouri Association of Jazz Educators All State Jazz Band. Each prepared high level etudes and scales for the audition. Typically over 1,000 students audition for the Missouri All State Band.
These students went above and beyond to play at this level. They are better musicians and we are a better band for their hard work! Job well done and well deserved.
Abigail Konopik - 6th Chair French Horn - All State Band Michael Guilfoy - 2nd Chair Tenor Sax - All State Band
Carter Bowman - 1st Chair Bari Sax - All State Jazz
Jacob Buchek - 1st Alternate Tuba Liz Myers - 2nd Alternate Bassoon Brandon Vaughn - Clarinet - Honorable Mention Beckett Whitworth - Bass Clarinet - Honorable Mention Merry Schlarman - Contra Alto Clarinet - Honorable Mention 
Solo and Ensemble Virtual Festival Ratings! Congratulations to all students who participated in the virtual festival. These students prepared solos and/or ensembles for the MSHSAA Solo and Ensemble Festival. Your dedication and hard work has paid off!
Gold Ratings - Solos!
Will Blackmore - Flute Solo Lilly Nash - Flute Solo Hana Noueiry - Oboe Solo Brandon Vaughn - Clarinet Solo Megan McGhee - Clarinet Solo Isaac Bednarski - Alto Sax Solo Will Bransford - Alto Sax Solo Michael Guilfoy - Tenor Sax Solo Abigail Konopik - French Horn Solo Hannah Pierce - Baritone Solo Jacob Buchek - Tuba Solo
Gold Ensemble Ratings!
Wind Ensemble Saxophone Trio - Carter Bowman, Will Bransford, Emma Trask
Wind Ensemble Woodwind Mixed Quartet - Brandon Vaughn, Lilly Nash, Samantha Roth, Megan McGhee
Concert Band Woodwind Quartet - Sharon Wirth, Emery Bowman, Katie Whittaker, Liz Myers
Wind Ensemble Brass Quintet - Charlotte Spohr, Connor Eilerts, Abigail Konopik, Hannah Pierce, Jacob Buchek
Silver Solo Ratings
Sharon Wirth - Clarinet Solo Beckett Whitworth - Bass Clarinet Solo Liz Myers - Bassoon Solo Bennett Griggs - Trumpet Solo Jack Krausz - Trombone Solo Levi Rowan - Baritone Solo Lily Mitchell - Marimba Solo
Silver Ensemble Ratings!
Trombone Trio - Patrick McPheeters, Ryan Sanner, Jack Herwig
Symphonic Percussion Quartet - Wyatt Byers, Connor Naes, Trevor Morgan, Zach Thomson 
Bronze Solo Ratings!
Kylie Madden - Alto Saxophone Jake Pilcher - Tenor Saxophone Zach Noland - Tenor Saxophone Timmy Schiller - Tenor Saxophone Evan Pazzero - Trombone Zach West - Marimba Willy Purvines - Marimba Kai Sanford - Snare Drum
Gold: This rating is the highest level of musical achievement performance in the MSHSAA sponsored music festivals. This performance is musically artistic and exemplary in all aspects. It is worthy of the distinction of being recognized as among the very best. The performance is “thorough,” nearly flawless, and “always consistent” in maturity of tone, pitch center, technical facility and musical expression. The performer(s) demonstrate the highest level of preparation, poise and confidence. The adjudicator's comments are positive and complimentary in all areas of the performance. There may be suggestions for continued growth and development.
Silver: This rating is a highly commendable level of musical achievement. This performance is artistic and outstanding in many aspects. There are “minor” inconsistencies and the performance is not completely “thorough” and “consistent” in maturity of tone, pitch center, technical facility and musical expression. The performer(s) demonstrate an outstanding level of preparation, poise and confidence. The adjudicator's comments are mostly positive and complimentary. There will be suggestions and techniques for continued growth and development regarding minor inconsistencies in the performance.
Bronze: This rating is a commendable level of musical achievement. This performance has some musically artistic aspects and shows accomplishment and potential but needs more polish and refinement. There are several inconsistencies in maturity of tone, pitch center, technical facility and musical expression. The performer(s) demonstrate an excellent level of preparation, poise and confidence. The adjudicator's comments are somewhat positive and complimentary. There will be suggestions for continued growth. 
Pioneer Pride 2021-22 Student Leadership
"The Things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy." Kalu Ndukwe Kalu
All Leaders and Mentors will attend the Leadership Camp with Guest Clinician, Dr. John Franklin
All Head Section Leaders, Drum Majors, and Band Presidents should plan on attending the New Marcher camp as well! Summer Band Rehearsals Mark your calendars for the required summer band rehearsals! Students, if you have a summer job remember to tell your employer about these dates NOW. Work schedules are not an excuse for missing rehearsal. Be proactive and let them know now! 
Leadership Camp
All Student Leadership and Mentors
August 2 - 5 1:00 - 4:00 PM KHS
Drumline and Front Ensemble All Freshmen and New Marchers (Sophomores - we encourage you to join us!)
Lead Section Leaders, Drum Majors & Band Presidents
August 2 - 5 5:30 - 8:30 PM KHS 
Full Band Camp
ALL Pioneer Pride Members
August 9 - 13 August 16 - 20 5:00 - 9:00 PM KHS
PIONEER PRIDE SHOW REVEAL 2021 - AMERICAN UNDERDOGS!
The 2021 Pioneer Pride halftime show is AMERICAN UNDERDOG! It is a "mashup" of themes from Rocky Movie Theme Song, My Shot from Hamilton, Dark Horse by Katy Perry, Don't Stop Believin' by Journey, Underdog by Alicia Keys, All I Do is Win by DJ Khaled. Brass and woodwind parts written by Mr. Eric Chrostoski, front ensemble parts written by Ms. Alison Smith and Battery Parts written by Mr. Chris Cooper.
All parts and midi files can be accessed at the link below! Make sure you come to camp with your part practiced! See you in August! 
The Pioneer Pride Handbook can be accessed below. Please take time to look over this handbook. In the handbook you will find all of the summer rehearsal dates, performance dates, Pioneer Pride Band policies and much, much more!
Every 2021-2022 KHS Pioneer Pride Band Family needs to do 4 things by May 15th!
If you have any questions feel free to reach out to one of our band directors.
Every effort should be made to be at all required performances and rehearsal. The dates can be found in the Pioneer Pride Calendar and the Pioneer Pride Handbook. If there is a reason you will be absent from any of these the Pioneer Pride Absence Form must be filled out by a parent or guardian. This does not necessarily excuse the absence. Please read the Pioneer Pride Absence Policy in the Handbook for more details.
Cardinal Game Performance Date 2021 - TBD
We are currently in a holding pattern for a Cardinal Game performance date. Due to Covid restrictions in April and May many of the groups that normally play then or normally play God Bless America or Take Me Out to the Ball Game chose to play Star Spangled Banner in the fall rather than their normal spring time performance date. Scheduling is based on seniority of years the group has performed at Busch Stadium. Kirkwood has been performing since 2016, however there are many other groups that have performed longer, some since the 1980s! We are working with the Cardinal group sales scheduling department and they will notify us if a date opens up. Currently they are full with groups with more seniority, but we are hopeful that as things open up more for our size group we will be offered a date. Stay Tuned!
KHS Band and Chair Placement Audition All Suburban and All State Band Audition Material
Below are links to the All State Band Audition material. This material is used for the Kirkwood High School Chair and placement audition in October as well as the SLSMEA Honor Band Auditions in November. Students who are selected for the SLSMEA Suburban Honor Band will have the opportunity to audition for the All State Band in December. We will have master classes and instruction on this material in September. Summer is a great time to get started on this with regular practice and private lessons! 
The band program from 5th grade beginning classes, to middle school bands to high school bands rely heavily on the generosity of the Kirkwood Band Boosters.
If you would like to support the band program financially, you can make a tax deductible donation by going to the link below. Or if you would like to volunteer to help out next year you may do so at the link below.
- This Place, These People -
Explore our WEBSITE! 801 West Essex, Kirkwood, Missouri 63122 |
