2010-11

In 2010, Michael Payne was named Assistant Band Director stepping into the role of vacated by Don Hicks who began teaching guitar full-time at Bryan Station.  The year of "Equus" proved to be another successful production by the Marching Defenders. Equus is Latin for horse and depicted the story of the horse and the importance to our city and Commonwealth.  The opener, Equus was composed by Director of Bands, Shaun Owens as an opening fanfare for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games held in Kentucky this fall.  It depicted the majesty and grandeur of the world coming to Lexington for the competition.  The 2nd movement was an adaptation of Take Me Home retitled Mare & Foal, another composition from Owens based on an old Welsh folk tune.  It depicted a bucolic bluegrass scene.  The production concluded with Photo Finish an arrangement of the William Tell Overture by Rossini.

The Band continued to grow in size from the previous season. The band performed well with the percussion section winning best in contest at Morehead State University.  The band again qualified for State level competition and performed the finest show of the year at KMEA Quarterfinals hosted at Bryan Station.

The Fall Band Concert featured the Jazz Band playing standards in the rotunda.  The Symphonic and Concert bands presented a well rehearsed and enjoyable show.

Bryan Station again hosted the KMEA District 7 Honors Bands in late March after being rescheduled due to snow. Michael Robinson (1st chair Clarinet) Zachary Robinson (1st chair trumpet), Micah Tatum (bass clarinet) and Jamie Monck (snare) were selected and represented us in those ensembles.

Taylor Chapman (marimba), Michael Robinson, Zachary Robinson and Micah Tatum advanced to the second round All-State Band Auditions.  Micah was selected 6th chair in the All-State Concert Band and performed at the KMEA In-Service Conference in February.   Additionally, James Guyton (trumpet), Michael Robinson, Zachary Robinson, Grant Knox (Euphonium) Jake Margolies (alto sax), Micah Tatum, Stephen Waun (bari sax) and  () were selected to perform in the Eastern Kentucky University Honors Band.

Snow days negatively effected the number of students participating in Solo & Ensemble Festival.  However, Bryan Station's Band was well represented by the following members:

Distinguished Solos: Taylor Chapman, Jamie Monck, Korinthian Gaines, Oscar Maldonado, Zachary Robinson, Sadie Thomas, Michael Robinson, Evan Martin.

Distinguished Ensembles: David Carmichael, Joshua Saylor, Jacob Godbey, Clifford Austin, Richana Campbell, Christian Campbell, Chris Walters, Stephen Waun, Lacey Gates, Oscar Maldonado, Jake Margolies, Tavanei Crowders, Zachary Sharp, Jacob Gafranek, Kayswanna McCoy, Christopher Lewis, Yolanda Mutersbaugh-Jaramillo, Hunter Eilmes.

In March, the bands held a joint concert with Bryan Station MS 6th, 7th & 8th grade bands.  Between bands were performances by Distinguished solos and ensembles listed above.  Greg Strouse directed the Percussion Ensemble in an enthusiastically received performance of Afro Cuban Groove.

The Bryan Station Concert and Symphonic Bands received Distinguished ratings at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Concert Festival held Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Scott Co. HS in Georgetown, KY.  The Concert Band performed Black Granite III (James Hosay), A Walk in the Morning Sun (Pierre La Plante) and Exhaltation (James Swearingen).  The Symphonic Band performed The Witch and the Saint (Steven Reineke, Matt Conaway, arr.), A Hymn For Band (Hugh M. Stuart) and Masque (W. Francis McBeth).  Select students traveled to Cincinnati, OH to perform in the Music In The Parks Festival.  After earning a a Superior rating and placing first in their class, the group spent the day at King's Island Amusement Park.