Kamiakin Band students awarded for dedication, musical growth

At Kamiakin Junior High’s final band concert recently, a host of talented students were added to the band’s growing list of notable musicians

August 3, 2010 8:28 pm
Recipients of Kamiakin Band's 'The Director's Award' this year were Niki Love
Recipients of Kamiakin Band's 'The Director's Award' this year were Niki Love

At Kamiakin Junior High’s final band concert recently, a host of talented students were added to the band’s growing list of notable musicians.

Over the course of the school year, the following students were awarded with quarterly certificates for their dedication and musical growth: Jonah Roberts, tuba; Ben Hayward, tuba; Shannon O’Neil, bassoon; Kathleen Thornsberry, clarinet; Madelaine Stearn, bassoon; Conor Goodwin, french horn; Hannah Miller, trombone; Melvin Soetrisno, alto saxophone; Jasmin Hurst, clarinet; Kylee Hansen, percussion; Nicholas Jensen, tuba; Danielle Faist, flute; Melanie Hynden, alto saxophone; Niki Love, trumpet; and Haley Gilbert, bass. Certificates were also given to four students who earned “Band Member of the Year”: Aimee Richardson, flute; Keegan Taggart, trombone; Jasmin Hurst, clarinet; and Ty Baird, tenor saxophone. Kamiakin’s highest musical honor, “The Director’s Award” has a long legacy of listing the community’s finest musicians. For their musical prowess, their unerring dedication to the bands, and for providing the highest example to younger musicians and their peers, three musicians continue the legacy, including Ty Baird, Niki Love and Tim Roetcisoender.

Baird plays the tenor saxophone and has performed with all of Kamiakin’s bands. She continually earned “superior” ratings in her solo and small ensemble work and takes private lessons to improve her craft in both jazz and classical literature.

Love plays the trumpet and has performed in all four of Kamiakin’s bands, while leading her jazz trumpet section and brass quintet. Love was also a member of “the pit” for Bothell and Juanita High School’s production of “The Music Man” and Studio East’s “Anything Goes.” Her musical accuracy and ability to lead others have made her a stand-out musician of the highest calibre.

Roetcisoender has played the clarinet for five years and continues to take private lessons, which lead him to become a member of the 2010 Washington All-State Band. He’s been the leader of the school’s clarinet quartet and principal clarinet for many years at Kamiakin and has always received a “superior” rating from judges at local festivals.

For information, visit www.kamiakinband.org.