During the third week of January, the band, orchestra, and chorus program at Steinbrenner had some select students head to various schools across the district to perform in an annual district-wide musical event known as All-County.
All-County allows the opportunity for music programs from schools all over the district to compete with one another. Corey Poole is the choral director at Steinbrenner, as well as the chairman for this district’s All-County.
“The students at Steinbrenner were really prepared this year,” said Poole. “Being the overall chair, my expectations are higher for more involvement. The students did a lot of extra practicing for the events. All-County is just a phenomenal experience for our students because rather than taking a bunch of tests, we base it upon their music abilities.”
In the choral department, participants have the opportunity to sing in two different high school choirs, both of varying difficulties, depending on the results of their auditions. An additional choir is offered for middle school students.
For orchestra, students are given an excerpt of music to prepare for their audition day. Orchestra students represented all grades and a number of different instruments. Ninth and tenth graders are put into one orchestra group and eleventh and twelfth are in another, provided students make it through the audition process. Band operates in a similar fashion.
Band, orchestra, and chorus students auditioned in their respective categories last November. After being accepted into All-County, students were invited back to attend rehearsals last week. Here, directors work with students on their music. Clinicians, instructors that have taught music at college-level, are also invited to teach students new skills and give them a better understanding about the music they’re reading and playing.
”It was fun,” said freshman Ayden Webb, a flutist that participated in band All-County. “Especially playing with people from different schools. I got to hang out with friends that went into different music programs.”
After a few after-school rehearsals, the musicians performed a concert of the songs they’d worked on with clinicians and directors, showcasing their advanced knowledge of music.
Alissa Vani, a freshman, participated in chorus All-County, for the fifth time.
”It was tiring, but good,” said Vani, “I really like how it goes from just being your voice to blending with other voices. Putting it all together at All-County and hearing all the voices from other parts is just a really good experience.”
Jordyn Dees // Co-Opinion Editor and Co-Business Manager
