Worland students get the musical honor of a lifetime
Worland high school students Caleb Fraser and Jaycee Page both recently had the chance of a lifetime, a chance to perform with national ensembles. The band and choir students had the opportunity to partake in the 2017 All-National Honor Ensembles in Orlando, Florida.
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Worland high school students Caleb Fraser and Jaycee Page both recently had the chance of a lifetime, a chance to perform with national ensembles. The band and choir students had the opportunity to partake in the 2017 All-National Honor Ensembles in Orlando, Florida.
“It was throughout the full nation,” Fraser said. “I met people from Florida, New York, just all over. I also got to make one or two new friends. I had made first chair bassoon in Wyoming All-State, and since I made first chair in Wyoming, I was able to audition for a spot in nationals. It’s a pretty big deal.”
Fraser, a sophomore, was one of the youngest musicians and only one of four from Wyoming to participate in the 2017 All-National Honor Ensemble Concert Band.
“You have to audition your freshman, sophomore and junior year, so you’re able to get in the year after you audition,” Fraser, who was a freshman when he auditioned, said. Fraser plays eight different instruments, including the bassoon and is self-taught. “I was the only person there who hadn’t had private lessons,” he noted.
Page was selected for the 2017 All-National Honor Ensembles Mixed Choir. She had made all-state, so then was able to record and send in her audition to get the chance to partake in nationals.
“Oh yeah, definitely,” Page responded when asked if this was something she wanted to partake in. “Any time I have the opportunity to audition, I take it. I didn’t used to be like that, but Mr. [Chad] Rose [choir teacher] has kind of helped me to audition more for stuff. It’s really intimidating but I’ve gotten a lot better at it, and the experience was definitely worth it.”
She added, “The experience was amazing! It was such an honor to sing with all the other talented musicians from around the nation. I was a part of the all-national mixed choir. “
Page had done most of her practicing on her own time. “They send you the music for you to work on before you even get to nationals,” she explained. “So you practice on your own, and then come with your music prepared. I would estimate there to be maybe 300 students in the choir. There were only two from Wyoming. There was a boy from Cheyenne, and me. So, yeah. It was so fun!”
The two spent Nov. 25-29 in Florida. They rehearsed for three days, with eight-hour rehearsals, getting the occasional break, and hour-long lunch.
Fraser went under the production of Willie Wright, WHS band teacher, and Page under the production of Rose.
