To All County and beyond: Musicians experience advanced ensembles

All County and All State programs allow students who are advanced or heavily involved in a specific field to continue their education and get out of school experiences under their belt.  Several students from North Harford, including seniors Sarah Ortt, Garrett Thomas, and Chad Rogers along with junior Kayleigh Gallagher have gotten to partake in All County and All State musical programs just this year.

     Ortt is currently first chair bassoon as well as drum major at The Nest. Additionally, she also plays the flute. Ortt was selected to All County band this school year as a first chair.  “I’ve been playing the bassoon for four years,” Ortt revealed. “For the audition there was a prepared piece we got so we could practice during the summer, as well as scales and sight reading.” Ortt wanted people to know “It’s pretty freakin’ cool, you have to put in a lot of work, but to be part of the ensemble is just so cool.”  

     Similarly, Rodgers made the All State orchestra as a 9th year bass player. “It takes time and hard work,” said Rogers.  After the tryout students wait in anticipation for their results “It was about two weeks and I heard from my teacher in class,” Rogers explained. “Then they invite you to rehearse for a weekend and you get to perform that Sunday.”

     Garrett Thomas has been performing “ever since [he] can remember.” He explained how the audition for all state was “much more difficult” than All County because the sight reading music was written in different keys. “You have to know how to find what key the music is in before you can start” Thomas elaborated. He then went on to tell about his experience, “Working with so many talented people with great voices creates such a great experience,” said Thomas. “They bring in a lot of challenging repertoire, but I find it more fun than challenging, because everyone is such a great musician. I want people to know I’m very very humbled and very happy that I get the chance to perform in this group. I’m truly blessed by the teachers who were able to get me here.”

     Gallagher has been performing for nearly ten years.  She had a comparable experience to Thomas. “Everyone is so talented and it’s really amazing to hear all the voices combined,” said the performer.  “I guess I just want people to know that I’m really excited about being able to do all state this year. Also, if anyone wants to audition next year, they should just go for it. Even if you don’t get in it’s really good audition experience, and if you do get in it’s so much fun to do.”