Gilpin School band director honors students

One last time

Lynn Volkens

05/29/2008 - Gilpin School’s band teacher, Jeanne Sonnleitner bestowed final awards on her band students at their awards banquet one week ago. The band program has suffered budget cuts from a full program to a half program, down to a one-third program the past two years and the band teacher’s position has now been cut from the budget completely. Sonnleitner refused to get emotional, however, and kept the mood light by first awarding several tongue-in-cheek awards. These drew many laughs, especially from band members who knew the inside jokes. (Explanations for the first three: Larson was told concert posture, “Sit up straight, feet flat on floor,” and responded, “But Miss S.-my feet don’t touch the floor.” The band has no low brass players-Schimanskey plays the tuba and trombone parts, rewritten for her bass clarinet. Hicks’s excuse for missing a concert? Her flight from Japan was cancelled and she was in China – really…)

- “Posture” Award-Ken Larson

- “Low Brass” Award-Katie Schimanskey

- “Most Original Excuse” Award-Kira Hicks

- “Bring Your Talent” Award – Erin Conley

- “Personification” Award – Li Hudacky

- “The Rhythm Machine/Strong and Silent” Award – Bayley Maltas

- “Can I Swing It/ Can I Play It Dirty?” Award – Emma Berg

- “Let Down Your Guard” Award – Jon Adams

- “Stiff Upper Lip” Award – Will Fattor

- “THIS Measure” Award – Victoria Pietsch

- “It Plays Better with the Mouthpiece On” Award-Claudia Marset

  All band members received participation awards plus certificates of appreciation from “Mother Earth,” for their recycling efforts. Band members financed their competition trip to Winter Park partially through collecting aluminum cans. Other recyclables were gathered on principle. “I hope someone else will take over the program next year,” Sonnleitner said. Each member who made the trip received a Winter Park band pin. Middle school band members who earned letters: Erin Conely, Will Fattor, Ken Larson and Bayley Maltas. High school band members Emma Berg and Katie Schimanskey lettered. Students must play during pep band and concert band events to letter. Conley was recognized as Best Sightreader; Marset (who began playing her instrument in late September) as Most Improved Player; and Outstanding Seventh Grade Musician was awarded to both Maltas and Larson. “Kenny takes his music home and can play it the next day,” Sonnleitner commented. For “Donating Time Above and Beyond the Call of Duty,” Sonnleitner recognized Adams and Fattor. Both had consistently manned the twice weekly after-school bake sales, another of Sonnleitner’s fundraising schemes. The band had enough earnings left to spend tomorrow at Elitches for a band “holiday.” (Sonnleitner put everyone on notice; she rides only the bumper cars.)

  Berg received a Certificate of Excellence, for outstanding performance, dedication and high standards of excellence. The senior played every pep band and concert and set an example for younger kids, Sonnleitner explained. Berg was also awarded the John Philip Sousa Band Award “in recognition of outstanding achievement and interest in instrumental music, for singular merit in loyalty and cooperation, and for displaying those high qualities of conduct that school instrumental music requires.” The Sousa Award has not been given for many years. Berg’s name will be added to a plaque in the school lobby.

  “Thanks for being such supportive parents,” Sonnleitner told parents. “These kids are really the tops!  I really love this band, they’re a great group of kids.” The “kids” reciprocated with a plaque for Miss S., flowers, a giant Thank You card and many many “I’ll miss you’s!” along with a final group hug.