EATON — Music filled the air on the evening of Tuesday, March 19, as the Eaton Community Schools Performing Arts Center hosted the annual Preble County All-County Band Concert. This annual event brought together young musicians from across the county to showcase their talents in a celebration of musical achievement and community spirit.

Coordinated by the Preble County Educational Service Center with the support of all five Preble County school districts, the concert featured performances from junior high and high school bands under the guidance of esteemed guest conductors.

The success of the concert was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the music directors from each participating school, who included Paul Bingle and Haley Blevins of Eaton, Logan Klump of National Trail, Brennan Fogle of Preble Shawnee. Terra Moniaci of Tri-County North and Garrett Smith of Twin Valley South.

Both the junior high and high school bands had guest conductors. The junior high school band was conducted by Abby Hinson, an accomplished teacher and performer in the greater Cincinnati area. Hinson, a graduate of Bowling Green State University with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Education, brought her extensive experience to the role. She has a rich background in teaching and performing, having worked with several school districts and maintaining an active presence in the Cincinnati music community.

The high school band was conducted by Dr. Gretchen McNamara, a distinguished trombone instructor at Wright State University since 2007. Dr. McNamara, who holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, has presented clinics and performed at numerous conferences and events. Her expertise and passion for music education shone through in the students’ performances.

The evening’s musical selections featured a variety of challenging and engaging pieces that highlighted the students’ skills and hard work.

The Preble County Junior High School Band’s selections included “Affirmation” by William Owens, “March of the Hyperion Robots” by Richard Saucedo, and “Arabian Dances” by Roland Barrett.

High school selections included “Medal of Valor” by Steve Hodges, “Angry Beavers” by Brian Beck, “Where the Waters Meet” by Carol Britton Chambers and “Choose Joy” by Randall Standridge.

Junior High School Band members included:

Flute — Reese Wappenstein (E), Anna Talley (TCN), Anna De Hart (TVS), Jenna Miller (PS), Kamryn Howard (NT), Lillian Haney (TCN), Callie Fogle (TVS), Ava Watson (PS), Abby Brown (NT), Brooklyn Barnes (TCN), Mary Clark (TVS), Charlotte Gingerich (PS), Olivia Bailey (TCN)

Clarinet — Gracie Bresher (E), Katherine Clopper (TVS), Izabel Trantanella (E), Alexandra Montgomery (TCN), Sophie Williams (E), Aubrey Dohme (PS), David James Adkins (TCN), Christina Worley (TCN)

Bass Clarinet — Madison Gentry (E), Abbigail Barnhill (PS), Audrey Oda (TVS)

Oboe — Emmalyn Collins (E)

Bassoon — Annabelle Smith (E)

Alto Sax — Carson Nabel (TCN), Kaleigh Bishop (NT), Annabella Jennings (E), Lydia West (TCN), Ava Weldy (TVS), Jace Burton (PS), Rylee Langenkamp (TVS)

Tenor Sax — Maleah Winburn (TVS)

Bari Sax — Amelie Hymans (TCN), Jeffrey Irwin (E)

Trumpet — Kaidyn Smith (TVS), Barrett Rust (TCN), Maxwell Martin (E), Gaven Cornett (PS), Lachelle Branham (E), Bronson Garber (TVS), Aiden Marit (E), Isaiah Dornbach (TVS), Mitchell Simmons (E), Natalie Blumenstock (NT)

Trombone — Liem Van Dam (NT), Gregory Hopkins (TCN), Caleb Hays (NT), Dresden Tankersley (E), Dana Devilbiss (E), Maren George (E)

Euphonium — Logan Osswald (NT), James Heltsley (TCN), Madelyn Moreland (TVS), Maxwell Back (PS)

Tuba — Nolan Benge (E)

Percussion — Colton Cassidy (PS), Dakota Carder (TVS), Adaline Jones (NT), Gabriel Staker (E), Ayden Bell (TCN), Nicholas Koelblin (PS), Wyatt Voge (TVS), Lillyann Warrix (E)

High School Band members included:

Flute — Jude Minton (E), Jennifer Heltsley (TCN), Caitlin Caudill (TCN), Kyra Davis (TVS)

Oboe — Laney Varner (TCN), Brody King (E)

Clarinet — Allison Cole (TVS), Allison Deichert (PS), Samuel De Hart (TVS), Grace Osswald (NT), Alexia Lebsack (PS), Brenda Hole (E), Megan Grider (TCN), Maya Palmer (NT), Aida Knapp (TVS), Victoria Maglio (NT), Hannah Cole (TCN), Macie Jean Canan (NT), Sydney Shortes (TCN)

Bass Clarinet — Alayna Brush (TVS)

Alto Sax — Sophia Kochensparger (E), Tyler Hawley (TVS), Olivia Ricketts (TCN)

Tenor Sax — Corbin Newport (TVS)

Bari Sax — Kyle Burckhard (TCN)

Trumpet — Cora Helms (TCN), Rhett Emig (TVS), Xavier Throop (TCN), Benjamin Spradling (PS), Zion Gade (TVS), Tucker Mitchell (NT), Wyatt Beare (TCN), Ethan Bell (TCN)

Horn — Carly Krisher (TCN), Addison Morningstar (E), Audrey Fox (TCN), Brianna Wagoner (TCN)

Trombone — Emma Cole (TCN), Kyle Laird (NT), Doren Winburn (TVS), Michael Fomin (E)

Euphonium — Charles Kochensparger (E), Evan Porter (NT), Braiden Thompson (PS)

Tuba — Gavin Robbins (TCN), Kara McCoy (TVS)

Percussion — Garrett Campbell (PS), Deanna Martin (PS), Izak Van Dam (NT), Colin Dunbar (NT), Danielle Trettel (TCN), Cooper McCloud (TCN)

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.