In The News: NHS musicians earn top honors

Written by: Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic

The Newberg High School band program will be well represented in the wind section of the Western International Band Clinic this weekend in Seattle, as five clarinet players and two flute players were selected to participate in the honor band clinic.

Anthony Bithell, Josh Butorac, Catherine O’Briend and Jake Byers were selected to play clarinet, with bass clarinet player Kristi Hubble also receiving the honor.

Emily Weiler and Jessie Isaacson will also participate on flute at the four-day clinic, which runs Friday through Monday and includes concerts at the SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel Grand Ballroom.

Among this year’s guests at the clinic will be composer Johan de Meij, ensemble Canadian Brass and conductors from the University of Southern California, Utah State, Kansas State and the University of Texas at El Paso.

Students will also be able to converse to college music directors during a college night program Sunday evening.

Hubbell, Butorac and Bithell were also among the eight Newberg High School students named to a 2015 All State Honor Group.

Hubbell will participate in the wind ensemble, with Butorac named to the symphonic band and Bithell chosen for the orchestra.

Joining Bithell in the All State Orchestra will be cello player Alexandra Call, while bass player Liam Hathaway will also take part, having been selected to the jazz band.

Three NHS vocalists were also selected for the All State Choir, as baritones Luke Hartley and Braden Dredge, as well as Alex Foufos, earned the honor.

The Oregon Music Educators Association will host the All State Convention in Eugene in January.