All-Star Ensemble Students Leave Impression

MISSOULA - Seeley-Swan High School students Jayla Kauffman and Jared Townsend participated in the University of Montana Silver All-Star Wind Ensemble Nov. 10-12. They both enjoyed the opportunity to play with a larger group and be challenged musically.

SSHS Music Director Kristen Cottom nominated Kauffman and Townsend for the All-Star Band. Having graduated from UM's Music Department, she helped run the festival in the past and thought it was a great playing opportunity.

Cottom chose Kauffman and Townsend because they are great musicians, they show up early for class, are prepared and have practiced their music.

"Based on them as people and them as musicians I felt they would be the best people to go and play and represent our high school," said Cottom.

While she was hopeful that they both would be chosen, that was not guaranteed. There has been more than 300 students nominated in the past.

"The fact that Jared and Jayla, two kids from small town Montana got to go is really cool," said Cottom.

Students came from seven states and Canada to participate in the event. Everyone was expected to have learned his or her parts before arriving. Both Kauffman and Townsend agreed the music was much more challenging than what they play at SSHS.

"There was a whole lot of different key changes and time changes and lots and lots of changes," said Kauffman. "This year the music was all similar since they were all by the same [composer]. Last year it was a lot more of a variety of pieces."

Kauffman participated in the Silver Wind Ensemble last year and said it was a similar experience except they had the opportunity to play with the UM Marching Band on the field for the Griz football home game on Saturday.

They played "The Grizzly Fight Song," "America the Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner." The group practiced the night before and were told there would be fireworks and a cannon shot off. They expected the first cannon shot, but were surprised by the second.

"It was slightly scary but it was awesome," said Kauffman. "I was in the front of my line so I got to lead out a third of the people onto the field. It was my first time so I didn't really know what I was doing."

The group stood in the end zone and then marched forward 15 yards to play. As soon as they were done playing they sprinted off the field as the ball was kicked off.

"The refs were ready to give the signal. As soon as we finished, all we heard was turn around and go, go, go," said Townsend excitedly recalling the experience.

This performance was a stark contrast to the concert on Sunday.

"[The Griz Game pre-show] was cold and eventful. The indoor concert you could actually tell where you were because you could hear the other people," said Kauffman.

Kauffman and Townsend agreed that because the marching band was so loud and they had only practiced the songs the night before, it was really challenging to keep their place.

Townsend added, "When you are out on the field, sometimes you can get nervous."

The group practiced more than 12 hours to prepare three pieces written by professional Composer David Gillingham: "Lucid Dreams," Radiant Moonbeams" and "Home Again." UM Director of Bands James Smart conducted the group.

Townsend and Kauffman agreed it was a unique and awesome experience to meet the composer of the pieces they played.

While Townsend was expecting it to be an interesting experience he was surprised how much fun it was.

"Meeting new people is good and going to large social events like that is very beneficial for your skills, social and music," said Townsend. "The music was much more challenging than we play here. I think that was the most fun part for me because I enjoy a challenge. You also challenge yourself because you are trying to do just as good as the other students in your section."

Kauffman loved playing with "a giant band." There were nearly 50 students in the Silver Wind Ensemble. Kauffman played with six other trombones and Townsend said there were nine other trumpets in his section.

"It was awesome to have someone next to you that played your part," said Townsend.

"We met people who actually care about music like we do," said Kauffman. Townsend added that finding that in a small school like SSHS is difficult.

Cottom said, "I was just so proud of them. They really represented our school well. I heard from a lot of people what great musicians and what great kids they were. They really made an impact in Missoula."

To hear Kauffman and Townsend play with the rest of the SSHS Band and Choir, the community is invited to their winter concert Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Seeley-Swan High School auditorium.