Christine Norton

• Teacher: Ginny Russ
• Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJ
• Received 19.6 out of 20, the highest Drum Major score given at the Atlantic Coast Championship in Dover, DE
• 3.9 GPA
• Member of concert band, Clarinet
• Member of the National Honor Society
• Member of Tri-M Music Honor Society
• Member of French Club
• Member of Red Cross Club
• Student Council Officer

Chelsea Bartlett

• Teacher: William Palange
• Oswego High School, Oswego, NY
• Marching band member since 8th grade
• Participant of All-County Band, Orchestra, and Choir
• Participant of Area All-State Chorus as a junior
• Soloist in Oswego High School Marching Band for 2 years
• Uncle, David Bartlett, veteran of the U.S. Army

Jennifer Cephus

• Teacher: James Yaques
• Palm Beach Central High School, Wellington, FL 
• Accomplished pianist and dancer
• Member of South Florida Flute Choir
• Participant of Tri-State Honor Band at Florida State University, 2007
• Awarded Superior Drum Major, 2007
• Volunteer Flute teacher for middle school students
• First chair in high school wind ensemble

• Teacher: Diane Koutsulis
• Green Valley High School, Henderson, NV
• First Chair All State Band, Flute
• Recipient of Harvard Book Prize
• Member of Science Olympiad Team, First Place State Championships
• Winner of Las Vegas Philharmonic Young Artists Concerto Competition
   

• Teacher: Roxanne Vickers
• Thomas Jefferson High School, San Antonio, TX
• 3.8 GPA
• Received superior ratings at a Solo and Ensemble event as a freshman, sophmore and junior
• Member of the Thomas Jefferson Mustang Band 

Kaitlyn O’Hara

• Teacher: Scott Rush
• Wando High School, Mount Pleasant, SC
• Member of National Honor Society
• All-State and All-Region band, 3 consecutive years
• Flute Section Leader
• Member of Tri-M Music Honor Society
• Member of Wando Marching Band, SC State Champions

Shannon Ploudre

• Teacher: Dale Sharkey
• Fort Zumwalt West High School, O’Fallon, MO
• Received superior rating at District Solo and Ensemble Festival
• Top 10% of Junior Class
  
  
  
  
   

Rachel Bayless

• Teacher: John Papandria
• Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, IN
• Participated in the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade
• Participant of the 2006 Indiana University Summer Music Clinic
• Principal Clarinet of the Ben Davis Symphony Orchestra
• Member of the Ben Davis Wind Symphony
• Clarinet Section Leader
• BOA Grand National Semifinalist, 2005-2007
• Kevin Wagaman (uncle)
  - 1982-1984, 7th Infantry Division Band, Ft. Ord, CA
  - 1984-1987, SHAPE International Band, Mons, Belgium
  - 1987-1990, 214th Army Band (The US Army Ground Forces Band)
  - 1990-1991, 8th Army Band, Seoul
  - 1991-1993, 399th Army Band, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO
• Corporal Jahred S. Gamez (extended family)
• Schofield Barracks, Oahu -2nd Battalion 35th Infantry Regiment (Cacti), 25th Infantry Devision

Noah Bratcher

• Teacher: Terry Lack
• Mead Senior High School, Spokane, WA
• Marching Band Section Leader
• Member of the Spokane Youth Orchestra
• Member of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council
• Member of Award-Winning Mead High School Jazz Ensemble

Clara Flores

• Teacher: Alex Yanez
• Louis W. Fox Academic and Technical High School, San Antonio, TX
• All-Region Band Member
• All-District Band Member
• All-Area Band Member
• Section Leader
• Most Outstanding Band Member
   

Sarah Garcia

• Teacher: Scott King
• Starr's Mill High School, Fayetteville, GA
• Performed at the Georgia Music Educators Convention
• Member of All-State Band, Georgia 5 consecutive years
• Peach State Marching Champion
• Section leader of Starr’s Mill High School Marching Band
• Church Youth Leader
• Member of Beta Club, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society
• Participant of the Governor’s Honor Program 2007
• Grandfather, Jose Flores, served in the Korean War

Katie Johnson

• Teacher: Richard Saucedo
• Carmel High School, Westfield, IN
• Played Soccer Since Age 4
• Carmel High School Marching Band Clarinet Section Leader
• Freshman Mentor
  
  
   

Dan Klipper

• Teacher: Greg Bimm
• Marian Catholic High School, Highland, IN
• 4.0 GPA for 5 consecutive years
• Member of Spanish National Honor Society
• Member of Mu Alpha Theta
• Bass Clarinet Section Leader
• Performed in the 2007 Macy’s Day Parade in New York City
• Received top ratings at IMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival
• Member of Concert, Symphonic, and Marching Band

Meredith McSwain

• Teacher: Eric Wells
• Clover High School, York, SC
• Member of the SC Region Band 2006-2008
• Member of National Honor Society
• South Carolina Junior Scholar
• Attended Academic Governor’s School of SC
• Member of the Clover Winterguard and Indoor Drumline
• Received superior ratings at SC Solo and Ensemble festival

Sarah Marti

• Teacher: Dan Duffy
• Waukesha West High School, Waukesha,WI
• Marching Band Section Leader
• Member of Jazz Ensemble
• Received Superior Ratings at State Solo and Ensemble Contests
• Toured Europe with the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music
• Member of Youth Orchestra of Wisconsin

Brad Mitchell

• Teacher: Ryan Williams
• Perry Hall High School, Baltimore, MD
• Member of All-County Symphony Orchestra
• Performed a Side-by-Side concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
• Taught music to students with special needs
• Member of National Honor Society
• Middle School Tutor
• 11th in Class of 504

Sarah Shelton

• Teacher: Trey Harris
• Bassett High School, Bassett, VA
• Participant of All-County Band
• Varsity Athlete, Softball
• Top 10 in junior class
• Member of Concert and Symphonic Band
• Drum Major of High School Marching Band, 2007
• Member of Woodwind Ensemble
• Junior Class Secretary
• Member of Beta Club
• Nine out of eleven maternal great uncles served in the military.
  -  Of these nine soldiers, seven served in WWII and two served in the Korean War.
  - During WWII O.D. Joyce and Sam Joyce were captured and held as prisoners of war by the Germans.
  - Sam Joyce served directly with General Patton.
  - Harvey, Sam and O.D. Joyce participated in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day.
  - Sarah's great grandmother received a letter from the president commending her for having four sons serve during WWII simultaneously. Two of these great uncles, Sam Joyce and O.D. Joyce, received the Purple Heart for their sacrifices.
• Four of Sarah's paternal great uncles also served in the Army during WWII and the Korean War.
• Dear Family Friend, Joseph Christopher Volner, soon to be deployed for a second time to Afghanistan for the US Army.
   

Sara Spires

• Teacher: Scott Rush
• Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant, SC
• All-State Band, 5 consecutive years
• First Chair, Symphonic Band
• Clarinet Section Leader
• USC Conservatory Soloist
• Recipient of Furman Band Camp Scholarship
• President of Interact Club
• President of Mu Alpha Theta, Math Honor Society
• National Beta Club Inductee
• Member of French Club
• E flat Clarinet Soloist, Midwest Convention
• 4 Time Wando High School State Champions, 5a

• Teacher: Marc Whitlock
• Plymouth-Canton Educational Park High School, Plymouth, MI
• Drum Major, Plymouth-Canton Ed. Park Marching Band
• Participant, Interlochen Camp for the Arts
• All State Band, Michigan
• Member University of Michigan Youth Wind Ensemble
   

Nicole Wright

• Teacher: Jerry Markoch
• Athens Drive High School, Cary, NC
• Band Captain of the Athens Drive High School Marching Band and clarinet section leader
• Member and soloist of both the ADHS Jazz Band and Wind Ensembles
• First chair clarinet in the Wind Ensemble
• Chosen for NC Central District Band
• Junior Class Representative
• Member of Central District Band
• Member of Math Club
• Member of Environmental Awareness Club
• Member of Church Hand Bell Choir
• Junior Advocate
• Participant of Meals on Wheels, MS Walk, and Locks of Love

Ryan Zaluzec

• Teacher: Marc Whitlock
• Canton High School, Canton, MI
• Member of National Honor Society
• Special Olympics Volunteer
• Member of Pit Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble
• First in Junior Class
• Member of Wind Ensemble
• Math Tutor
• Clarinet Section Leader
• Participant in Big Brother/Sister program
• Ryan's first cousin Pfc. Nathan Joseph Frigo gave his life for his
  country Oct. 17, 2006 in Iraq. He was promoted to Specialist and
  awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his sacrifice.

Gilberto Arevalo

• Teacher: Stephanie Schmidt
• Madisonville High School, Madisonville, TX
• Member of All Region Jazz Band
• Recipient of Texas Music Scholar Award
• Member of National Honor Society
• Member of Beta Club
• Member of Football, Tennis and Track Teams
  
   

Zachary Cheatham

• Teacher: Douglas Harris
• Lakewood High School, Evergreen, CO
• Member of Jazz Ensemble, Lead Tenor
• Saxophone Section Leader
• CSU Honor Band Alternate
• Member of Colorado All State Band
  
  
   

Joshua Geter

• Teacher: Daniel Trivette
• West Rowan High School, Woodleaf, NC
• Saxophone Captain, Marching Band
• Also plays the drums and piano
• Performs with his family’s jazz ensemble, G3 Jazz
• Recipient of the Louis Armstrong Award for Jazz, 2007-08
• Participant of All-County and Honor's Bands
• Family Friend, CW5 Reginald Hamilton, Active Duty

Keith Jennings

• Teacher: Greg Bimm
• Marian Catholic High School, Madison, IL
• Saxophone Section Leader
• Lead Alto, Marion Catholic Symphony Band
• All District Band Participant
• Concert Band Section Leader
• Math tutor
• State of the Art Contest Winner
• Bands of America Regional Finalist
• Member of Jazz Ensemble
• Participant of high school musical production

Caitlin Koch

• Teacher: Harold Cassady
• Stroudsburg High School, Sciota, PA
• Participant of PA All-State Band
• Member of Jazz Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, and Pit Orchestra
• Teaches saxophone lessons to beginning students
• Played the National Anthem at a Chicago White Sox game with Lions All State Band
• Member of National Honor Society, third in her class of 500
• Member of “Celebration of the Arts” Jazz Ensemble
• Grandfather, Gunter Koch, WWII Veteran – Normandy/D-Day, Artillery Mechanic

Mathew Krieger

• Teacher: John Pruitt
• Fort Mill High School, Tega Cay, SC
• Member of SC All State Band, 4 years
• Member of Charlotte Youth Wind Ensemble
• University of Tennessee Honor Band
• USC Summer Conservatory Participant
• National Youth Leadership Conference
• Member of National Honor Society
• Junior Merit Scholar
• Member of Beta Club
• Furman Scholarship Recipient
• Leroy Springs Foundation Youth Camp Counselor

Martin Copenhaver

• Teacher: Alfred Watkins
• Lassiter High School, Roswell, GA
• Member of Tri-M Music Honor Society
• Member of National Honor Society
• French Horn Society Secretary
• Beta Club Secretary
• Member of Mu Alpha Theta
• Member of Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Bassoon
• Drum Major of Lassiter High School Marching Band

Chris Karlin

• Teacher: Greg Bimm
• Marian Catholic High School, Dyer, IN
• Member of Concert Band and Pit Orchestra
• Received superior rating at IMEA Festival
• Jazz Band Section Leader
• National Honor Society Inductee
  
   

Barrett Parten

• Teacher: Steve Warner
• Jonesboro High School, Jonesboro, AR
• Member of Arkansas State University Mid-South Honor Band
• First Chair, Arkansas All State Wind Symphony, Jazz Band and All Region Band
• Saxophone Section Leader
• Order of the Arrow Quapaw Lodge Cherokee Vice Chief
• Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America
• MacArthur Junior High School Band Esprit De Corps Award

Megan Sibley

• Teacher: Martin Dickey
• Nation Ford High School, Fort Mill, SC
• Member of South Carolina All-State Band for four years
• Member of the South Carolina All-State Orchestra
• Recently named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
• Low Reeds Section Leader of school band
• Member of Jazz Band
• Member of Science Club
• Member of UNCC Youth Orchestra
• Scored 5 on AP Chemistry Exam
• Author for Fort Mill Times
• First Chair, Charlotte Youth Wind Ensemble
• Nature Camp Counselor
• Furman Scholar
• Class Rank, First in Junior Class

Abel Alvarado

• Teacher: Jeff Lightsey
• Smithson Valley High School, Spring Branch, TX
• Trumpet Section Leader
• Received superior ratings at TMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival
• Member of Men’s Choir
• Member of National Honor Society
• Volunteer for Comel County Children’s Shelter
• Mother, Anna E. Hofer, retired U.S. Army, Lieutenant Colonel 2004
  - She served 22 years, Adjutant General's Corps
  - She served throughout the United States, Europe and South Korea
• Stepfather, Dean A. Hofer, nine years, U. S. Army
  - He enlisted as a Black hawk Aircraft Mechanic, and was selected as a Warrant Officer candidate. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a warrant officer and flew UH-1's and UH-60 Black hawks. He served in Fort Campbell, KY, South Korea, and Fort Hood, TX.
• Father, Anthony Alvarado, Jr., is an active member of the U.S. Army Reserves, where he holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel
   

Ryan Chastain

• Teacher: Steve Warner
• Jonesboro High School, Jonesboro, AR
• Member of Arkansas State University Mid-South Honor Band
• Member of Arkansas All State Wind Symphony, Jazz Band and Concert Band
• Trumpet Section Leader
• Selected for Interlochen Summer Music Program
• First Round Finalist, National Trumpet Competition
• Delta Symphony Orchestra Solo Competition Finalist
• Beta Club
• JHS Outstanding Sophomore Bandsmen
• MacArthur Junior High School Outstanding Brass Award
• Uncle, Frank Lopez - U.S. Army from July 1958 to July 1961
• Mr. Julio Jauregui, U.S. Army from September 1970 to September 1972, Vietnam Combat Veteran

• Teacher: Matt McCready
• Union High School, Tulsa, OK
• Received a superior rating at district solo contest
• SWOSU Band Camp Honor Ensemble
• Trumpet Section Leader
   

Danielle DePorter

• Teacher: Jeff Marchant
• Sabino High School, Tucson, AZ
• Drum Major for 2 years, Sabino High School
• Member National Honor Society
• Also an accomplished pianist
• Member of Tucson Music Teacher’s Association’s Ensemble
• Member of Jazz Ensemble
• Participant of Southern Arizona Honor Band
• Member of the Girl Scouts
• Perfect Attendance 2004, 2006-2008

Josh DeVrou

• Teacher: David Zamborsky
• Jenison High School, Jenison, MI
• Trumpet section leader in Jenison's Marching Band
• Participates in the Visual Arts and designed an invitational cover for a competition
• Designed the “Show Shirt” for 2008 Marching Show
• Member of Wind Symphony

Sam Eagleson

• Teacher: Richard Saucedo
• Carmel High School, Carmel, IN
  
  
  
  
  
   

Michael Edwards

• Teacher: David Vandewalker
• Harrison High School, Kennesaw, GA
• Trumpet Section Leader
• Member of Jazz Ensemble
• Recipient of Award for Most Improved Musician
• Performed at the Midwest Clinic with Wind Ensemble
• Member of Church Brass Ensemble

Drew Ellis

• Teacher: Charlie Ford
• Enterprise High School, Enterprise, AL
• All State Honor Band
• Member of Capital Sound, Drum and Bugle Corps
• Member of Hillcrest Baptist Church Orchestra
• Trumpet Section Leader, Enterprise High School Marching Band

Paul Gentine

• Teacher: Patrick Ruddy
• Flushing Senior High School, Flushing, MI
• Currently maintains a 4.0 average
• Currently pursuing Eagle Scout
• Chairperson of Flushing Youth Council
• Member of NHS
• Trumpet Section Leader
• Member of the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corp
• Principal Trumpet, Flushing Wind Ensemble and Orchestra

Joey Gutierrez

• Teacher: Darin Abren
• Mayfield High School, Mayfield, KY
• Participant of Kentucky All State Orchestra
• Principal trumpet, Paducah Youth Orchestra
• Member of Symphonic Band
• Participant of University of Kentucky Honor Band
• Member of Science Club

Nickolas Ha

• Teacher: Dennis Kaneshiro
• Kalani High School, Honolulu, HI
• Principal trumpet in Hawaii Youth Symphony
• First Chair Trumpet, Kalani High School Select Band
• President of the Kalani High School Interact Club
• Member of the National Honor Society, 6th in class
• Soloist for the 2007 Kalani Falcon Marching Band field show
• Member of the Kalani High School Math League

Thomas Hoke

• Teacher: Glenn Price
• Lugoff-Elgin High School, Lugoff, SC
• Member of National Honor Society
• Member of Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• All State Band Participant 2005, 2007
  
   

Phillip Knorr

• Teacher: Creighton Flowers
• Sanderson High School, Raleigh, NC
• President of Sanderson High School Band
• Trumpet Section Leader
• Recipient of the National Arion Award for Superior Musicianship
• Member of Triangle Youth Brass Band
• Vice President of Music Appreciation Club
• First Chair, Wind Ensemble
• Retirement home volunteer
• Grandfather, WWII Veteran, Navy

Lexie Kruse

• Teacher: Micheal Hench
• Pipestone Area High School, Pipestone, MN
• Received Superior Ratings at State Solo Contests
• First Chair, All State Band, Augustana Honor Band, Minnesota Band Director’s Association Honor Band, MSU Honor Band
• Outstanding Soloist, Adrian Jazz festival
• First Place, Bemidji State University Trumpet Concerto Competition
• Recipient of Governor’s Leadership Award
• PAS Choir Representative, Soprano Section Leader
• Speech Team Captain
• Member of Student Council

Kevin Mills

• Teacher: David Boone
• North Buncombe High School, Asheville, NC
• Father was in Vietnam with the US Army-William Mills Jr. E4
• Participant of All County, All State Jazz Ensemble
• Member of Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle Corps
• Teaches 8th graders fundamentals of conducting
• Member of Asheville Brass Quintet
• Participant of Western Carolina Trumpet Festival

Dallin Whitmer

• Teacher: John Miller
• American Fork High School, Highland, UT
• Earned Eagle Scout, 2008
• Performed in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City
• Competed in State Math Competition
• Trumpet Section Leader
   

Megan Carpenter

• Teacher: Andrew Perry
• West Genesee High School, Syracuse, NY
• Member of NYS Field Band Championship Winner, West Genesee Wildcat Band
• Member of 2008 NYSSMA Conference Wind Ensemble
• Recipient of Underclassman Brass Award

Corinne Cook

• Teacher: Donald Wade
• Vista Murrieta High School, Murrieta, CA
• French Horn Section Leader
• Member of Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra
• Recipient of Idyllwild Music Academy Scholarship
• Level 10 Pianists in MTAC
• Varsity Athlete, Soccer

Dakota Corbliss

• Teacher: John Boyd
• Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach, VA
• Member of Wind Ensemble, French horn
• All Senior Regional Orchestra Participant
• Accepted to Governor’s School for the Arts
• Member of Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra
• Chosen to Perform at Brass Master Class with Canadian Brass
• Very close family friend, Bryant Rook, Army Active Duty, Germany

Cory Gudger

• Teacher: Dustin Stamey
• East Lincoln High School, Stanley, NC
• Member of Western Carolina University Honors Band, French horn
• UNCG and Winthrop Honors Bands, French horn
• Brass Captain and Mellophone Section Leader for the Show Band of The Carolinas
• Uncle has been deployed to Iraq and is still serving for the US Army
• Grandfather and great-grandfather were also in the Army, WWII
• Pursuing Eagle Scout, working on final project
• Father is a Leukemia survivor and overcame heart complications. Also an Eagle Scout – and inspired Cory to achieve Eagle Scout.
• Junior class Vice President and the Secretary of the Beta Club

Curtis Wassum

• Teacher: Donald Carducci
• Orchard Park High School, Orchard Park, NY
• Member of Wind Ensemble
• Member of Quaker Marching Band, NY State Champions
• 4.0 Grade Point Average
• Member of All State Band
   

Laura Weiss

• Teacher: Phil Barnes
• Rockville High School, Silver Spring, MD
• Grandfather, Morton Pekter, U.S. Army from ’51-54
• Uncles, Gerson and Jack Weiss Army, (Retired)
• Leader and founder of a Brass Sextet, “Brassitude”
• Senior Girl Scout leads activities for younger scouts
• Member of Montgomery County Senior Honor Band
• Soprano, Montgomery County Girls Chorus
• Participant of Maryland All State Orchestra, French horn
• Active participant of high school musical productions

Aisha Burton

• Teacher: Jason Smith
• Opelika High School, Opelika, AL
• Member of National Honor Society
• Member of Spanish National Honor Society
• President of Spanish Club
• Member of 2008 All State Band
• District Honor Band Participant, 2008
   

• Teacher: David Kirkley
• Boswell High School, Arlington, TX
• Trombone Section Leader
• BHS Symphonic Band Outstanding Musician 2006, 2007
• Member of All Region band
• All Region Jazz Ensemble Participant
• Texas All Area Jazz Ensemble
• TMEA Music Scholar 2007, 2008 
   

Casey Lindorfer

• Teacher: David Smyth
• Boise High School, Boise, ID
• Accomplished Pianist
• Received Superior Ratings in both Trombone and Piano
• State Solo Competition Winner, Trombone, 2007
• Principal Trombone, Symphony Orchestra
• Participant of All City Orchestra, Treasure Valley Youth Symphony, All State Orchestra and BSU Honor Band
• Recipient of Outstanding Jazz Musician Award, University of Oregon Concert Camp, 2007
• Junior Representative for High School Band
• Assisting with Drill Writing for High School Marching Band
• Member of Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps

Maxwell Lowe

• Teacher: Arthur Ebert
• West Bloomfield High School, West Bloomfield, MI
• Performed at Michigan State Fair
• Member of Winter Drumline, 2008 WGI Regional Champion
• Performed with Marching Band at Walt Disney World
• First Chair, All State Band
• Member of Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble

Paul Maier

• Teacher: Scott Katona
• Jackson Liberty High School, Jackson, NJ
• Lead Trombone, Jazz Ensemble
• Drum Major of High School Marching Band
• Member of Drama Club
• Member of Jackson Civic Chorus
• Vice President of LHS Chapter, National Honor Society
• Member of International Thespian Society
• American Legion Boys, NJ Delegate

Jonathan Moths

• Teacher: David Zamborsky
• Jenison High School, Jenison, MI
• Member of Wind Symphony, Trombone Quartet and Symphonic Band
• Member pf Leadership Team, 2007 JHS Marching Band
• Grandfather, Sylvester Moths, Army, WWII Veteran from ‘44-’46 (Medal of Good Conduct)
• Section Leader of the Trombone Section in the 2008 Jenison Marching Band
• Principal Chair in Wind Symphony
   

Odie Wilson

• Teacher: David Vandewalker
• Harrison High School, Marietta, GA
• Placed 12th at Grand Nationals
• Member of Honor Band for 2 years
• Regional BOA Champion
  
  
   

Alexander Witt

• Teacher: Gary Piazza
• Marlborough High School, Marlborough, MA
• Principal Trombone, New England Conservatory Youth Symphony Orchestra
• Principal Trombone, New England Conservatory Youth Wind Ensemble
• Marlborough High School Band Brass Section Leader
• All State Band Participant
• Member of Worcester Youth Symphony, Windham Orchestra, and Putney School Orchestra
• Recipient of Marlborough High School Faculty Achievement Award