Kingston musicians earn All-State honors

By Jon Dohrer

Kingston Public Schools

TECUMSEH – One Kingston drummer is an all-stater, and another is an alternate after auditions last week.

Sophomore Joseph Jackson was named to the Oklahoma Small School Band Directors Association All-State Band as a percussionist. He was joined by senior Brendan Edison, who earned the first alternate designation, also on percussion.

Jackson become the first Kington High School student to qualify for the honor band in at least 12 years. Since that time, the pair has also qualified for final auditions for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State Band, which is open class.

Jackson and Edison qualified in the category of Percussion III, which is general percussion with a timpani emphasis.

Kingston Band Director Lindsay Pfaff said there is no secret as to how the two drummers are achieving those results.

“They’re practicing,” Pfaff said. “It’s that simple. They put in a lot of hours of their own time learning their parts and polishing and improving. They are very dedicated to achieving their goals.”

Jackson said much of the credit also goes to former Kingston educator John Ivey, who was the students’ percussion teacher until this year.

“Mr. Ivey used to always stay after us and push us to get better,” Jackson said.

He said the camaraderie and friendly rivalry with his twin brother, John, also played a large role.

“John and I, we take steps to try to get to a higher level,” Joseph Jackson said. “So we’re always trying to pass each other – it’s really fun.”

Edison is also the drum captain for the marching band, and the section leader for the concert percussion line. He has impressed his band directors by managing those duties while also finding time to practice his all-state music.

Pfaff has placed a greater emphasis on individual achievements this season. She said there is a good reason for that.

“It strengthens the band,” she explained. “It shows we are willing to go above and beyond to represent our school in all things.”

The two will now audition for the OMEA All-State band Dec. 7.