Chelsea Strutton

Writer

With hours of practice under their belts, junior Hailey Griggs and sophomore Landry O’Neal traveled to Tecumseh, OK, on Saturday, Nov. 2 to participate in the 2019-20 OSSBDA Small School All-State Band auditions.

The Small School All-State Band is an annual event sponsored by the Oklahoma Small School Band Directors Association (OSSBDA), an organization that places an emphasis on improving the skill level of students derived from smaller communities.

Each year, band students in grades 10-12 from schools in classes 2A, 3A and 4A are given the opportunity to engage in the honor band that allows the students to better themselves through competing against their peers with similar circumstances.

This year, two Marlow High School students partook in the audition process, and both received exceptional results.

With outstanding performances in each of their auditions, Griggs and O’Neal were both named members of the 2019-20 Small School All-State Band.

Receiving seventeenth chair out of a total of ninety-nine students auditioning on clarinet, Griggs spoke about her aspiration for the event and how her dedication helped her reach her target.

“My goal for Small School was to make it,” said Griggs. “I probably practiced about twice a week for 30 min to an hour starting in September.”

O’Neal received second chair, one of three sophomores who placed out of a total of ninety-four high school students auditioning on flute.

O’Neal described her contentment from obtaining her high rank – an accomplishment that did not come easily and without practice.

“It felt like a big wave of emotions,” stated O’Neal. “I had spent about four hours practicing daily, so I was very satisfied with the chair I received.”

With the clinic taking place in February, Griggs and O’Neal will continue to represent the Marlow High School Band Program and practice in preparation for the event.