FHS and RHS Band Members Perform on National Stage

Published March 17, 2017

It was a big weekend for the Franklin High School band.

Student musicians in the FHS percussion ensemble and the saxophone quartet spent their weekend performing for thousands of spectators at the Music For All National Festival held at Butler University in Indianapolis from March 9-11.

Both of Franklin’s groups joined the ranks of the nation’s most elite scholastic bands, orchestras, percussion ensembles, chamber music ensembles and jazz bands in performance during the festival.

To receive an invitation to perform at the Music for All National Festival, each musical group submitted an audition recording that went through a rigorous adjudication process by a panel of judges.

The FHS percussion ensemble was one of 12 programs selected from across the country, while the saxophone quartet was one of just 10 chamber ensembles invited to perform.

The Rebel band also saw three students — Jason Frazier, Webb Littleton and Katie Thornton — selected to perform with the Honor Band of America during the festival. Frazier was named the 1st chair alto saxophone for the group distinguishing him as one of the top saxophone players in the nation.

The Franklin High students weren’t the only WCS representatives to play in the honor band. Joining them were Ravenwood band members Phil Barrett, Ted Grosson and Stacey Xiang.

“All of these students worked so hard and put on amazing performances on the national stage,” said FHS Percussion Ensemble Director Michael Holland. “Their sacrifice does not go unnoticed. It’s an honor to teach and mentor such talented and hard-working students.”

The FHS band is under the direction of David Aydelott and assistant directors Jacob Campos and Michael Holland. The RHS band is under the direction of Mark Kinzer.