DMS Bands Play Successful Competition Season

The competition season winds down with big honors for band students at Dawson Middle School.

The Wind Ensemble had a successful performance at the Peak Music Festival at the UNT Murchison Performing Arts Center. The students received straight superior ratings from all three judges and won Best in Class for CCC. The DMS Ensemble also took home the top award: Outstanding Middle School Band.

The judges also recognized outstanding individuals and sections:

• Outstanding Flute Solo- Elizabeth File and Allison Semadeni
• Outstanding Tuba- Jacob Ammermann
• Outstanding French Horn Section- Carys Sutherland, Sahaj Singh, Caitlyn Hanlon, and Sophia Deras
• Outstanding Percussion Section- Claire Casey, Spencer Foster, Luke Havener, Chaya Hemanth, Naysan Sahba, Anna Su, Erica Warner, and Desi West

The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band competed last week at the Beach Within Reach Band Contest. Both bands earned straight superior ratings from all three judges.

On April 24, the Concert Band competed at the Peak Music Festival at Wakeland High School and also earned straight superior ratings from all three judges.

The DMS Jazz Band competed at the Chet Baker Educational Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 18. This was Dawson Jazz band’s first ever competition. They receive straight superior ratings from all three judges. In addition, they were won the Premiere Performance award (outstanding band).

The judges also recognized outstanding soloists:

• Braden Pecora, Alto Sax
• Kristina Kepic, Alto Sax
• Natalie Whalen, Trumpet
• Carson Gleim, Piano
• Luke Wilkerson, Drumset
• Nikash Tekkem, Drumset
• Emilio Schroeder, Drumset

Dawson Middle School invites the community to the final performance of the year, scheduled for next Tuesday, May 12. The band’s annual spring concert will be at 7 p.m. in the Carroll Senior High Auditorium. The performance will feature the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Eubanks Intermediate Band.