Author Archives: eric_grush

All-State Band 2018

Congratulations to band students who auditioned and earned top positions in the All-District  Band in January and went on to earn positions in the All-State Honors Band in May!!

Abby Li (’22) – flute
Emily Wang (’22) – flute


Auditions were held during CA Spring break on March 3 at Central Davidson MS in Lexington, NC. Public, Private, or Home-schooled students earning top positions in one of six Districts were eligible to audition for the All-State Honors Band. The audition consisted of learning a very challenging solo piece, scales, and sight-reading a piece of music the students had never seen.

Being selected to the All-State Honors Band ranks Abby and Emily among the top 5 middle school flute players out of thousands of band students throughout NC!  Bravissimo!!

28 Cary Academy Band students have been selected to the All-State Honors Band since 1998. 

MS All-State Band 

Fanfare and Flourishes – Curnow

 

Tudor Sketches – Owens

 

The Bonsai Tree – Giroux

 

In the Center Ring – Sheldon

 

Cheerio March – Goldman

 

9-10 All-State Band

American Elegy – Ticheli
Written to commemorate Columbine HS shooting, dedicated to victims of the Stoneman Douglas school shooting. The Band Director there is a personal friend of the All-State Honors Band conductor. The CA US Band performed this piece in the early 2000’s.

 

 

All-State Jazz Bands 2018

Congratulations to Luke Ramee (’24) for playing trombone in the All-State Jazz Band!!

Public, Private, or Home-schooled students from the entire state who had been selected to the All-Region Jazz Band in January were eligible to audition for the All-State Jazz Band during CA spring break in March.  The audition consisted of a jazz head (melody), etude (technical study), improvisation, and sight-reading.

This year Luke Ramee earned 3rd chair, ranking him as the 3rd best middle school jazz trombonist in the entire state!! 3 Cary Academy Band students have been selected to All-State Jazz Band since its inception in 2004. Luke is the first Cary Academy 6th grader ever selected to an All-State Band or Jazz Band!

The MS All-State Jazz Band was directed by Dr. Wes Parker, director of jazz studies at NCSU and a fellow jazz trombone player. The HS All-State Jazz Band was directed by Bryan Carter of Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC.  Bryan’s father, Ron Carter, is a legendary jazz bass player.

Luke and Ron Carter, iconic jazz bass player

 

 

All-State MS Jazz Band 2018 – Manteca (Luke has a solo.  The CA US Jazz Band has also played this tune)

 

All-State MS Jazz Band 2018 – Ya Gotta Try

 

All-State MS Jazz Band 2018 – Brother Mister

 

All-State MS Jazz Band 2018 – Angel Eyes

 

All-State MS Jazz Band 2018 – Bernie’s Tune

 

 

ECU Jazz Combos visit CA 1-9-18

Tuesday, January 9 the Jazz Combos from East Carolina University visited Cary Academy and performed along with CA  students.  It was quite an honor for our students to play with jazz majors and professors as Cary Academy was one of only two local schools visited.
The ECU jazz combos also performed at the Durham Jazz Workshop  that evening.

ECU Faculty Combo Dr. Billy Taylor Combo (ECU Students)
Jeff Bair, sax Sean Reeser, sax
Scott Sawyer, guitar Jesse Shelton,
Jim Crew, piano Sammy Kunz, vocal
Carroll Dasheil, bass Reggie McNeill,
Dan Davis, drums Graeme Slonaker, piano
Jim Riggs, Sax (N. Texas) Chris Puckett, bass
Zack Graybeal, drums

Summertime  – Billy Taylor ECU student combo with CA senior WillS

 

Straight No Chaser – ECU Jazz Faculty Combo “trading 4’s” with CA senior WillS

 

SonnyMoon for Two – Billy Taylor ECU student combo with CA students WillS, VincentW, RishiG

 

Doxy – Billy Taylor ECU student combo with CA senior WillS and 6th grader LukeR

All-District Bands and All-Region Jazz Bands 2018

Congratulations to band students who auditioned for the All-District Band and All-Region Jazz Band!!

All-District Bands 2018
Ian Fan (’24) – clarinet
Rishi Goswami (’20) – clarinet
Aarav Gupta (’22) – trumpet
Abby Li (’22) – flute
Max Li (’23) – clarinet
Emily Wang (’22) – flute

All-Region Jazz Band 2018
Luke Ramee (’24) – trombone
Charlie Zoetrmulder (’23) – trombone

2018 Audition Results – Click link to google spreadsheet

The Auditions
January 13, 2018
SE Guilford HS – Greensboro, NC

Auditions were snowed out on January 6 and held on January 13. Public, Private, or Home-schooled students from Central NC were eligible to audition for All-District Band and All-Region Jazz Band.  The band audition consisted of learning a very challenging solo piece, scales, and sight-reading a piece of music the students had never seen.  The jazz audition consisted of a jazz head (melody), etude (technical study), improvisation, and sight-reading.

The Central District (one of six NC Districts) spans 14 counties from Wake County to Guilford County (Greensboro/High Point) and represents hundreds of public and private middle or high schools and tens of thousands of band students. Simply by preparing for and performing the audition, students have set themselves in the top 5% of students in central NC who play the same instrument, regardless of whether or not they are selected to be in a band.

This year Cary Academy placed 6 students in one of the All-District Bands.  96 Cary Academy Band students have been selected to All-District Band since 1998. 

This year Cary Academy also placed 2 students in one of the All-Region Jazz Bands. 22 Cary Academy Jazz students have been selected to All-Region Jazz Band since its inception in 2004.

Explanation of Results

Students listed as “… Chair” were selected to a band.  1st chair is the top scoring player on a specific instrument.  Students listed as “… Alternate” barely missed being selected to a band. Students listed as “Placed Among” were not selected to a band.  “Placed among” results are compared to other students who play the same instrument.

The Middle School (MS) Symphonic Band is comprised of the highest scoring 6th-8th grade players on each instrument.  The MS Concert Band is comprised of the next highest scoring 6th-8th grade players on each instrument.  Anywhere from 1 to 20 students per instrument are selected to each band, depending on the instrument.  Students selected to one of the MS All-District Bands will learn music on their own and participate in the performance weekend, January 26-27 at UNC-CH.  After less than 2 days of rehearsal, they will perform a truly inspiring concert! A few even qualify to audition for All-State Band in March!!

The High School (HS) 9-10 Wind Ensemble is comprised of the highest scoring 9th-10th grade players on each instrument.  The High School (HS) 11-12 Wind Ensemble is comprised of the highest scoring 11th-12th grade players on each instrument.  The HS 11-12 Symphonic Band is comprised of the next highest scoring 1th-12th grade players on each instrument.  Anywhere from 1 to 18 students per instrument are selected to each band, depending on the instrument. Students selected to one of the HS All-District Bands will learn music on their own and participate in the performance weekend, January 26-27 at UNC-CH.  After less than 2 days of rehearsal, they will perform a truly inspiring concert!

The Jazz Bands are simply referred to as “A” and “B”. The A Band is comprised of the highest scoring HS or MS players on each instrument. The B Band is comprised of the next highest scoring HS or MS players on each instrument. All are eligible to audition for the All-State Jazz Band in March. Students selected to one of the All-Region Jazz  Bands will learn music on their own and participate in the performance weekend, January 19-20 at Panther Creek HS. After less than 2 days of rehearsal, they will perform a truly inspiring concert!

 

11-28-17 MS-US Band Concert

11-28-17 MS-US Band Concert Program

Program Notes

Photos (CA Vidigami) – thanks Mr. Giralt!

Photos (Google Drive) – thanks Mr. Giralt!

 

Board Meeting – Dr. Michael Ehrhardt plays slapstick (whip sound), board member and Duke student Kendall Bell (2015) plays sleigh bells, and alumnus and UNC student Trevor Scanlon plays temple blocks (horse hoof sound) as the US Band performs Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride.

 

Audio

MS- Dr. Rockenstein

 

MS – Holiday Festival

 

MS – Viva la Vida

 

MS – Wedding Dance

 

MS Flute Duet – Valse Gracieuse

 

MS Jazz – Blues by Five

 

MS Polka Band – Stern Polka

 

US Jazz – Blue Bossa

 

US – Water Music

 

US Armed Forces Medley

 

US Sleigh Ride

 

Video

MS – Dr. Rockenstein

MS – Holiday Festival

MS – Viva la Vida

MS – Wedding Dance

MS Flute Duet – Valse Gracieuse

MS Jazz – Blues by Five

MS Polka Band – Stern Polka

US Jazz – Blue Bossa

US – Water Music

US – Armed Forces Medley

US – Sleigh Ride

Band Pops Concert 4-26-17

MOVIE MUSIC
16th annual Band Pops Concert (usually on the quad, but this one included movies to go with the movie music!)

16-17 Band Awards Program PDF of program with color pics

Smugmug album (thank you photographers!)

Flckr album (thank you photographers)

Audio files (download to listen. Students may have to do this for parents)

Video files (download to view. Students may have to do this for parents)

Classes/Senior Powerpoint

Links to Youtube Videos

BB – William Tell 4 26 17

BB – Ghost Busters 4 26 17

BB/MS – Mission Impossible 4 26 17

MS – Batman  4 26 17

MS – Gonna Fly Now (Rocky) 4 26 17

US/MS – Disney at the Movies  4 26 17

US – Lord of the Rings 4 26 17

MS Jazz – Tequila  4 26 17

US Jazz – Big Noise from Winnetka 4 26 17

US Jazz – Funky Town 4 26 17

US Jazz – In the Mood 4 26 17

US/MS Jazz – Soul Man 4 26 17

Combo – On the Sunny Side of the Street 4 26 17

Combo – Blue Monk 4 26 17

ALL BANDS – Star Wars 4 26 17

Disney Trip Feb. 24-28, 2017

Students and chaperones, please upload pics to the DisneyBand google drive folder to share ASAP!

Band Disney Trip Feb. 24-28
Please congratulate our brave sojourners as we return from Disney from  a workshop that gave us a glimpse of what it is like to be a Disney Professional musician.  The best way to describe it is that at school we spend months practicing for one performance, while a pro spends one day practicing for months of performances. Disney doesn’t want to pay people to practice; they want them out performing for guests!

We had to learn and polish music much more quickly than usual, so we had 4 special rehearsals to combine 7th-12th grade students from 4 band classes.

At Disney, we learned music and then recorded the soundtrack to a Disney video. Here it is!!

Kat Browning

Chris Butulis

Amy Chang

Ethan Chou

JR Cobb

William Coley

Zach Coman

Katie Grush

Jono Jenkens

Cindy Li

Ben Lipson

Rohin Patel

Casey Powell

Miles Ramee

Grant Scotto

Nikhil Shetty

Christianna Swift

Madison Swyers

Brian Wei

All-District Band

Congratulations to band students who participated in the All-District Band!

All-District Bands 2018
Ian Fan (’24) – clarinet
Rishi Goswami (’20) – clarinet
Aarav Gupta (’22) – trumpet
Abby Li (’22) – flute
Max Li (’23) – clarinet
Emily Wang (’22) – flute

MS Concert Band
Ghosts of the Lost Ship – Tyler Grant

 

MS Symphonic Band
An Irish Legend – Ed Kiefer

 

9-10 Wind Ensemble
Italian Rhapsody – Julie Giroux

 

2018 Audition Results – Click link to google spreadsheet

The Auditions
January 13, 2018
SE Guilford HS – Greensboro, NC

Auditions were snowed out on January 6 and held on January 13. Public, Private, or Home-schooled students from Central NC were eligible to audition for All-District Band and All-Region Jazz Band.  The band audition consisted of learning a very challenging solo piece, scales, and sight-reading a piece of music the students had never seen.  The jazz audition consisted of a jazz head (melody), etude (technical study), improvisation, and sight-reading.

The Central District (one of six NC Districts) spans 14 counties from Wake County to Guilford County (Greensboro/High Point) and represents hundreds of public and private middle or high schools and tens of thousands of band students. Simply by preparing for and performing the audition, students have set themselves in the top 5% of students in central NC who play the same instrument, regardless of whether or not they are selected to be in a band.

This year Cary Academy placed 6 students in one of the All-District Bands.  96 Cary Academy Band students have been selected to All-District Band since 1998. 


Explanation of Results

Students listed as “… Chair” were selected to a band.  1st chair is the top scoring player on a specific instrument.  Students listed as “… Alternate” barely missed being selected to a band. Students listed as “Placed Among” were not selected to a band.  “Placed among” results are compared to other students who play the same instrument.

The Middle School (MS) Symphonic Band is comprised of the highest scoring 6th-8th grade players on each instrument.  The MS Concert Band is comprised of the next highest scoring 6th-8th grade players on each instrument.  Anywhere from 1 to 20 students per instrument are selected to each band, depending on the instrument.  Students selected to one of the MS All-District Bands will learn music on their own and participate in the performance weekend, January 26-27 at UNC-CH.  After less than 2 days of rehearsal, they will perform a truly inspiring concert! A few even qualify to audition for All-State Band in March!!

The High School (HS) 9-10 Wind Ensemble is comprised of the highest scoring 9th-10th grade players on each instrument.  The High School (HS) 11-12 Wind Ensemble is comprised of the highest scoring 11th-12th grade players on each instrument.  The HS 11-12 Symphonic Band is comprised of the next highest scoring 1th-12th grade players on each instrument.  Anywhere from 1 to 18 students per instrument are selected to each band, depending on the instrument. Students selected to one of the HS All-District Bands will learn music on their own and participate in the performance weekend, January 26-27 at UNC-CH.  After less than 2 days of rehearsal, they will perform a truly inspiring concert!

 

All-District Bands 2017

First Name Last Name Instrument Level Grade Result
Amy Chang Clarinet HS 10 Among top 30 10th grade clarinet players (Over 110 HS clarinets auditioned)
Rishi Goswami Clarinet HS 9 15th chair clarinet, 9-10 Wind Ensemble
(among top 8 9th grade clarinets. Over 110 HS clarinets auditioned)
Anna Lane Flute HS 9 Unable to audition on snow date
Ben Lipson Trumpet HS 11 Unable to audition on snow date
Christianna Swift Flute HS 9 Unable to audition on snow date
Pranay Tankala Clarinet HS 12 Unable to audition on snow date
Aarav Gupta Trumpet MS 7 Among top 16 7th grade trumpet players (Over 100 MS trumpets auditioned)
Marvin Koonce Clarinet MS 8 Among top 45 8th grade clarinet plyers (Over 135 MS clarinet players auditioned)
Max Li Clarinet MS  6 Among top 3 6th grade clarinet players (Over 135 MS clarinet players auditioned)
Ritvik Nalamothu Alto Sax MS 8 Among top 25 8th grade alto sax players (over 60 MS alto sax players auditioned)
Rohin Patel Horn MS 7 Among top 8 7th grade horn players (over 30 MS horn players auditioned)
Casey Powell Alto Sax MS 7 Unable to audition on snow date
Jay Sagrolikar Alto Sax MS 8 2nd chair alto sax, Concert Band
(among top 5 8th grade Alto Sax players. Over 60 MS alto sax players auditioned)


MS Concert Band

After the Storm – McBride

 

At the Threshold – Calhoun

 

Great Dakota Prairies – Grice

 

Night of the Dark Horse – Oare

 

Zombie Tango – Meredith

 

9-10 Wind Ensemble

American Fanfare – Wasson

 

Country Gardens – Grainger

 

Crazy Quilt – Karrick

 

Emperata Overture – Smith

 

Puszta – Van der Roost

 

Wondrous – Karrick

 

2016 Audition Results

First Name Last Name Instrument Level Grade Result
Jae Muth Bass Clarinet HS 11 1st alternate (among top 5 11th grade bass clarinet players)
Amy Chang Clarinet HS 9 among top 16 9th grade clarinet players (over 150 HS clarinets auditioned)
Kiera Tai Flute HS 10 among top 16 10th grade flute players (over 150 HS flutes auditioned)
Pranay Tankala Clarinet HS 11 5th Chair clarinet, 11-12 Wind Ensemble – (among top 3 11th grade clarinets and among top 5 scores of all 150+ HS clarinets)   eligible to audition for All-State!
Anna Lane Flute MS 8 among top 50 8th grade flute players (over 120 MS flutes auditioned)
Jay Sagrolikar Alto Sax MS 7 among top 12 7th grade alto sax players (over 60 MS alto sax players auditioned)
Rishi Goswami Clarinet MS 7 1st chair clarinet, Concert Band (among top 14 8th grade clarinets. Over 130 MS clarinets auditioned)
Ritvik Nalamothu Alto Sax MS 8 among top 12 7th grade alto sax players (over 60 alto sax players auditioned)

 

2015 Results

First Name Last Name Instrument Level Grade Result
Trevor Scanlon Timpani HS 12 2nd alternate (among top 3 12th grade timpani players)
Trevor Scanlon Mallets HS 12 among top 11 12th grade mallet players
Kiera Tai Flute HS 9 among top 16 9th grade flutes (over 160 HS flutes auditioned)
Pranay Tankala Clarinet HS 10 3rd Chair clarinet, 9-10 Wind Ensemble – (among top 3 10th grade clarinets and among top 3 scores of all 160 HS clarinets)   eligible to audition for All-State!
Amy Chang Clarinet MS 8 15th chair clarinet, Concert Band (among top 24 8th grade clarinets and among top 35 of 130 MS clarinets)
Anna Cheng Flute MS 7 among top 30 7th grade flute players (over 130 MS flutes auditioned)
Rishi Goswami Clarinet MS 7 among top 15 7th grade clarinet players (over 130 MS clarinets auditioned)
Caroline Spancake Flute MS 8 among top 38 8th grade flute players (over 130 MS flutes auditioned)

 

2014 Results

First Name Last Name Instrument Level Grade Result
Andy Cooper Clarinet HS 12 Placed among top 20 12th grade clarinet players
Margaret Muth Clarinet MS 9 Placed among top 35 9th grade clarinet players.
Hannah Scanlon Oboe HS 9 4th alternate (top 9th grade oboe player)
Trevor Scanlon Snare Drum HS 11 2nd alternate (among top 6 11th grade snare drums)
Trevor Scanlon Mallets HS 11 3rd alternate (among top 4 11th grade mallets)
Pranay Tankala Clarinet HS 9 2nd Chair clarinet, 9-10 Wind Ensemble – (top 9th grade clarinet and among top 12 of 148 High School clarinets)
eligible to audition for All-State!
Ben Lipson Trumpet MS 8 5th Chair Trumpet, MS Concert Band (among top 17 out of 115 middle school trumpet players)
Will Snider Snare Drum MS 8 2nd Chair Percussion, MS Concert Band (among top 6 out of 38 middle school percussion players)

 

Beginning Band In-Class Demonstration 1-26-17

Amazing!  These young people have come so far in six short weeks.  Enjoy some recordings, pics, and videos.

Pics and Videos – thanks Mr. Nagaraj!

In-Class Demo 1-26-17

Go Tell Aunt Rhody


Merrily We Roll Over a Little Lamb


Lightly Row


The Merry Song

 

The Weirdest Song You Have Ever Heard in Your Lifetime


Original Song


Ford’s Song


Can’t Let Go


The Game Is On


Over the Rainbow


Tenor Madness

 

Seven Nation Army

 

Louie Louie

 

We Will Rock You

 

Go Team

 

Parents Try Playing

 

 

All-Region Jazz Band

Congratulations to students selected to the All-Region Jazz Band 2018!

Luke Ramee (’24) – trombone
Charlie Zoetrmulder (’23) – trombone

The Jazz Bands are simply referred to as “A” and “B”. The A Band is comprised of the highest scoring HS or MS players on each instrument. The B Band is comprised of the next highest scoring HS or MS players on each instrument. All are eligible to audition for the All-State Jazz Band in March. Students selected to one of the All-Region Jazz  Bands will learn music on their own and participate in the performance weekend, February 23 at Panther Creek HS. After only 1 day of rehearsal, they will perform a truly inspiring concert!

The Auditions

The Central Region represents hundreds of public and private high schools and thousands of jazz band students throughout Central NC. Simply by preparing for and performing the audition, students have set themselves in the top 5% of students in the Region who play the same instrument, regardless of whether or not they have been selected to be in a band.

The audition consisted of learning a very challenging solo piece played with CD accompaniment, playing a technical etude with CD accompaniment, sight-reading one piece of music the students had never seen, and improvising solos with CD accompaniment.

This is the 14th year that the Regional All-State Jazz Bands have been in existence.  Since 2004, 20 Cary Academy students have been selected to one of the bands.

Cary Academy Students who have been selected to
the All-Region Jazz Band, 2004-present

Year  Name Instrument
2004 Zach Hobbs Bass
2004 Adam Pedersen Tenor Sax
2004 Joelle Portzer Trumpet
2005 Joelle Portzer Trumpet
2007 Rachel Parks Trombone
2008 Colin Everett Baritone Sax
2009 Daniel Orol Trumpet
2010 Max Gowan Electric Guitar
2010 Andrew Hamrick Trombone
2010 Daniel Sheitman Trombone
2012 Alex Coeytaux Alto Sax
2013 Andy Cooper Tenor Sax
2013 Joseph Cornett Piano
2013 Damon Blair Tenor Sax
2014 Andy Cooper Tenor Sax
2015 Damon Blair Alto Sax
2016 Will Snider Drums
2017 Damon Blair Alto Sax
2018  Luke Ramee  Trombone
2018  Charlie Zoetmulder  Trombone

 

 

2017 Results

This is Damon’s 3rd time being selected (more than any other CA student) and he is eligible to audition for the All-State Jazz Band in March!

2017 All-Region Jazz Band B – Spain

 

2017 All-Region Jazz Band B – Road Song (Damon solo)

2017 All-Region Jazz Band B – Footprints (Damon solo at around 3:00)

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2017 Audition Results

First Name Last Name Instrument Grade Result
Damon Blair  Alto Sax 12 2nd chair Jazz band B, among top 4 HS Alto Sax players.  Eligible to audition for All-State!
Jay Sagrolikar Alto Sax 6 6th alternate, among top 8 MS Alto sax players.
Will Snider Drums 11 2nd alternate, among top 4 HS drummers


Explanation of Results

Students listed as “. . . alternate, placed among the top . . ” were not selected to a band. This is their placement in comparison to students in their grade who auditioned on a specific instrument.

Students listed as “. . . chair” were selected to a band. 1st chair is the top scoring player on a specific instrument. Depending on the instrument, there may be as few as 1 student or as many as 5 students selected per instrument.

Jazz Band A is comprised of the highest scoring 9th-12th grade players, regardless of grade level. Jazz Band B is comprised of the next highest scoring 9th-12th grade players, regardless of grade level. MS Jazz Band is the Middle School Jazz Band, comprised of the highest scoring 6th-8th grade players.  Students selected participate in the Central All-Region Jazz Band Weekend, January 20-21 at Panther Creek HS in Cary, NC. After less than 2 days of rehearsal, they perform a truly inspiring concert on Saturday afternoon.

2016 Audition Results

First Name Last Name Instrument Grade Result
Damon Blair  Alto Sax 11 1st alternate, among top 5 HS Alto Sax players
Jeonghun Lee Tenor Sax 12 among top 12 HS Tenor Sax players
Andrew McClenney Bass 12 1st alternate, among top 3 HS Bass players
Will Snider Drums 9 1st chair Jazz Band B, among top 2 HS drummers
Eligible to audition for All-State!

2015 scores

First Name Last Name Instrument Grade Result
Damon Blair  Alto Sax 10 2nd chair Jazz Band B
Eligible to audition for All-State!
Jeonghun Lee Tenor Sax 11 among top 11 HS Tenor Sax players
Ben Lipson Trumpet 9 among top 17 HS Trumpet players
Andrew McClenney Bass 11 among top 9 HS Bass players
Will Snider Drum 9 among top 11 HS drummers

2014 scores

First Name Last Name Instrument Grade Result
Andy Cooper Tenor Sax 12 1st chair Jazz Band A
TOP SCORE of all 9th-12th grade Tenor Sax players.
Eligible to audition for All-State!
Jeonghun Lee Tenor Sax 10 placed among top 2
10th grade Tenor Sax players
Damon Blair Tenor Sax 9 placed among the top 3
9th grade Tenor Sax players
Damon Blair Alto Sax 9 placed among the top 4
9th grade Alto Sax players