Hillcrest Junior High band students learn from professionals

Ninth-grade Hillcrest Junior High clarinetist Emily Wahlquist had practiced every day, learning two challenging pieces that she and her classmates in the Symphonic Band would play alongside the 60-member Salt Lake Symphonic Winds on the evening of Oct. 18.

“I’m so excited that I’ll sit next to the professionals, hear them play and know where I’ll need to improve my own playing,” Emily said. “I’ve learned to persevere. At first, it was really hard, but then I practiced it little by little, building it up until I could play it. Then, I practiced it more and now I’m ready to play my heart out.”

Hillcrest’s Symphonic Band and Salt Lake Symphonic Winds performed “Cavata,” under the direction of the school instrumental teacher Sam Jewkes, and then he joined the group, playing “Exhilaration” under the direction of Salt Lake Symphonic Winds’ conductor Thomas Rohrer.

Jewkes is a trombonist in the Winds, an audition band that performs about five free concerts each year. He said usually the group performs twice at schools, sometimes playing with the students. He and Rohrer selected the evening’s music and the groups practiced separately, with only a combined run-through before the performance.

“This gave the students the opportunity to play with the professional group and gain that experience that other people don’t usually have,” Jewkes said. “It also encouraged them to practice more. At the beginning they were scared, but they rose to the challenge. Now, they are more inspired and know they can play harder pieces.”

“Exhilaration” had numerous time signature changes, which challenged some students, Jewkes said. By the performance, he said they were able to play it strong.

The time signature and different beats were hard at first for eighth-grade percussionist Jeremiah Johnson.

“When we sight-read it, it was just so difficult with the time signature changing from 4/4 to 7/8 to 3/8 and then we had eighth notes switch to 16^th and it got faster and faster, but we practiced it there and at home and got it down,” he said. “We learned we can do it if we keep at it.”

Rohrer pointed out that part of his band’s mission is education and outreach.

“We try to perform or play with several school ensembles each year to motivate them into something that is a life-long experience, something they can continue after high school or college,” Rohrer said. “It’s also fun when there’s a personal connection with the school.”

For Hillcrest, that meant not only Jewkes, but also former band teacher and Salt Lake Symphonic Winds clarinetist Chris Earl, who sat near Emily.

“It’s always fun to play with students and here, I’ve missed them,” Earl said, who now teaches at South Davis Junior High. “I can’t help being proud of these kids, knowing that they’ve touched my life and I’ve touched theirs forever. They’re great kids.”

Hillcrest has about 70 beginning, advanced, concert and symphonic band students. Jewkes also teaches Murray School District’s beginning and advanced elementary bands.