The De Soto High School band sent 13 students to Kansas State University for a three-day long band clinic for students around Kansas.

One freshman, two sophomores, three juniors and seven seniors left DHS on Friday, Jan. 20 to travel to Manhattan, Kansas, for the three-day long clinic. Band director Matt Bradford, along with choir director Mindy Fry and drumline instructor Tom Kuhn, were the chaperones for the event.

These students auditioned in front of a panel of volunteer Kansas State students majoring in the music department, playing a scale and a sight-reading piece to determine their place within the six bands in the clinic.

Out of the 13 students auditioning, six were chosen for the top band at the clinic including junior Jared Carlton along with seniors Matt Lynn, Logan Patterson, Trevor Whitlow and Zaid Gratz. The remaining six students, freshman Connor Cravens, sophomores Larissa Gregory and Kati Gribble, juniors Josie Bedford and Kyler Gish and seniors Liza Elwell and Aneka Zarger were dispersed throughout the remaining five bands. After the bands were separated, they prepared for Sunday, Jan. 20, when a concert was held to showcase their hard work throughout the clinic.

According to Elwell, DHS had a very strong showing at the clinic, all while having fun with each other and other students.

“We [the band] had a great time and played well in our bands,” Elwell said. “A few of us made it into the top band, but whatever band we were in, we made sure to enjoy our time and to work towards a good performance. Students from all schools [in Kansas] get thrown together into different bands, and most of them are pretty nice people so all of us just interact like we know each other. Eventually, at different honor bands, you start to recognize a few of them.”

Gish believed the clinic was beneficial not only to the students, but to DHS as well.

“Being able to show what you learned from your band programs and seeing what other people do is cool,” Gish said. “I like being able to represent De Soto in ways other than sports.”

The performance was held in the McCain Auditorium at Kansas State University. Each band performed three to four songs, along with a percussion ensemble, which were all learned within the three day span.

Despite only being three days long, many students enjoyed the event and would attend again if they were given the chance.

“I would definitely go [again],” Gish said. “The experience is unforgettable.”