Blue Devils Well Represented at UGA's Annual JanFest

This year, 13 band students applied and all 13 were accepted to attend the 62nd annual January High School Band Festival (JanFest) held at the University of Georgia on January 19-22.

UGA will host almost 1,000 students from about 150 high schools. The students attending from Norcross High School are: Brannon Booth, Tony Shu, Dale Rivera, Parker Buntin, Melissa Swope, Emma D'Agostino, Dawn Andrews, Chris Conrey, Will Woolever, John Valentine, Miller Moor, Austin Underwood and Allison Fisher.

The choice of students to attend is based on the band director Lee Newman’s submission, the individual musical accomplishments of each student as well as the instruments needed for the festival bands. Senior John Valentine said that he is, “honored to be going since there are so many Norcross band members who could have been chosen to attend.”

To begin the weekend, students audition with a prepared piece in order to be placed in a particular band. There are various band levels and students are placed based on their audition results.

There are three honor bands and five clinic bands. This year the honor bands are directed by band directors from Arizona State University, Louisiana State University and Pacific Lutheran University. Clinic bands are directed by invited band directors from high schools throughout Georgia. 

For the remainder of the weekend each festival band works on its assigned music and on the last day of the festival all bands together perform a concert. It’s a wonderful concert that family and friends come from all over the state to enjoy.

Norcross band director Newman is delighted for his students to be participating.

“It gives them a chance to play with other students who are as excited about music as they are," said Newman. "They also get to work with other conductors who are passionate about music and perhaps use a different approach to teaching.”

The students attending are excited about the opportunity to be at JanFest. Seniors Will Woolever and Brannon Booth both commented that they are looking forward to being at JanFest and playing with so many other good players. 

Many friendships are forged during the festival. “JanFest is not only a musical event but a social one as well” said Tony Shu. Fellow student Melissa Swope added that she’s “excited about the experience and about meeting new people.”

For some of the seniors this isn’t their first year to go to JanFest. Emma D’Agostino and Parker Buntin said that they are looking forward to seeing friends from other schools. Since they’re seniors it may be the last time some of these students are together.  

Visit the Norcross High School Band's website for more information.