Two Charlotte County Students Shine in All-State Band Selections
We are delighted to announce the exceptional achievements of two Charlotte County band students who have earned coveted spots in prestigious All-State Bands following their outstanding performance during the September auditions. Mikey Moore, a student at Charlotte High School and trumpeter, has been accepted into the 11th-12th grade All-State Symphonic Band, while Sam Nicol, a clarinetist from Lemon Bay High School, has secured a spot in the 9th-10th grade All-State Concert Band.
Participating in these auditions is no small feat. Students are required to memorize 12 major scales, some spanning two octaves or more, as well as a comprehensive chromatic scale, performing all of them in under two and a half minutes. In addition, they must present two college-level etudes, and there's a challenging sight-reading section where they are given just 30 seconds to interpret and perform a complex etude on the spot.
Securing a position in either the 9-10 Concert Band or the 11-12 Symphonic Band is a remarkable accomplishment, indicative of being one of the finest musicians in the state of Florida on their respective instruments.
Mikey Moore's acceptance for two consecutive years is an extraordinary feat, making him the sole representative from CHS at the All-State Band Conference in January. The last student from Charlotte High School to achieve this honor before Mikey Moore was Philip Eyrich, who now serves as the band director at Lemon Bay High School, and coincidentally, he is the instructor for Sam Nicol, representing Lemon Bay in the 9th-10th grade All-State Concert Band.
Last year, Mikey was one of only two students who made an All-State band in both Charlotte and Sarasota counties, out of over 100 trumpet players who auditioned, with only 12 earning a spot in the ensemble. These ensembles are known for their exceptional difficulty, and their dedication and hard work throughout this audition process should be highly commended.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Charlotte High Band Director Tommy Bunnens and Lemon Bay Band Director Philip Eyrich for their unwavering commitment to the fine arts and their exceptional guidance to these talented students.
