By TAYLOR NEUGEBAUER/CHADRON STATE COLLEGE
CHADRON – One hundred forty high school students from 25 schools in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming gathered for Chadron State College’s 54th annual High Plains Band and Choir Festival in early February.
This year’s festival marked the first scholarship awards from the Hammitt Endowment Fund, administered through the Chadron State Foundation, to strengthen Chadron State’s Music program. A total of $21,000 in scholarships was awarded to High Plains participants who plan to attend Chadron State College and major in Music.
The Hammitt Fund honors the late Dr. Jackson Hammitt, who taught music at Chadron State from 1967 to 2001 and remained connected to campus after retiring. He directed the Chadron Community Chorus for 29 years, frequently accompanied students and guest performers, and served the college and community in many roles. Hammitt and his wife, Peg, were longtime supporters of the Music program, and the scholarships sustain their commitment by helping Music students attend Chadron State.
Dr. Rick Puzzo, Professor and department chair, said there were 224 registrations including 79 wind players and percussionists in the band, 62 vocalists in the choir, and 12 students in the guitar/bass ensemble.
CSC faculty presented a free concert in Memorial Hall’s Auditorium Feb. 2, following a day of vocal and instrumental clinics. High school students performed a final public concert in Memorial Hall’s Auditorium on Feb. 3.
Dr. Joel Schreuder, Professor of Music, directed the choir. The Honor Band was instructed by guest director Dr. Lisa Tatum, Assistant Professor at Lubbock Christian University.
Students who have participated in Band or Choir for three or four years were given special recognition. Photos of the festival are available online.
Participation Awards
Honor Band 3-year
Chadron: Sara Carrick, Allison Taylor, Josephine Werner
Gering, Neb.: Coltin Hutton, Alphonso Leal, Helen Bauer
Hemingford, Neb.: Emily Johnston
Kimball, Neb.: Luke Berger
Mitchell, Neb.: Rio Williams
Honor Choir 3-year
Bridgeport, Neb.: Jeanette Gonzalez
Hill City, S.D.: Addysen Kurtz
Mitchell, Neb.: Mattie Taylor
Minatare, Neb.: Skyler Montgomery
Moorcroft, Wyo.: Krizma Delfino
Sidney, Neb.: Kennedy Hobson, Noel Onate
Honor Guitar Ensemble 3-year
Gordon/Rushville, Neb.: Jackson Roffers
Honor Band 4-year
Alliance, Neb.: Maira Richey
Bridgeport, Neb.: Cadence Freiberger
Chadron: Chelsea Stephens
Gering, Neb.: Alison Miller
Minatare, Neb.: Yoselin Reyes
Honor Choir 4-year
Gordon/Rushville, Neb.: Claire Wellnitz, Amara Funk
Sidney, Neb.: Raven Dinorog, Dagen Lee, Bryn Jones
Bridgeport, Neb.: Haden Ramig