Kingston band Superior at state

By Jon Dohrer
KIngston Public Schools

ADA — The Kingston band became one of only six 3A bands in Oklahoma to earn a Superior rating at state.
The Kingston band received a rating of "I" from each of the three judges in the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association State Concert Band Contest last week at East Central University.
Director of Bands Orien Landis said the judging was particularly strict this year, and he told his band it would take their best performance to earn a Superior rating.
"I just told them, 'We can play so well that there's no question we made a I, or we can put it in the judges' hands,'" Landis said. "They had been handing out II's and III's left and right — it was a bloodbath. But I thought we played really well and earned a I."
Landis said the band had made considerable strides since earning a I at district contest to qualify for state. He said they entered the contest confident and prepared.
The band scored a II (Excellent) rating in sight reading. Landis said he thought his musicians read the material well, and he wouldn't have been surprised if the band had earned a I. He was nonetheless pleased with the performance.
The band is under the direction of Landis and Assistant Director John Ivie. Senior members are Zach Bailey, Macey Bayles, Destiny Hughes,Aaron King, Preston Lunsford, Calli Rogers, Colten Weaver, Taylor Williams, and Raylee Woodward.

Spring Performance
The band will perform its annual spring concert at 6:30 p.m. May 9 in the Kingston Multipurpose Activity center cafetorium. Landis said after a semester of preparing serious music for contest, the band will cut loose with some fun arrangements at the concert.