Facing the music

HARTINGTON — Gabe Wortman is not one to toot his own horn about tooting his horn.

But he regularly hears from others - singing his praises - about how they are moved by his music.

“People tell me I have a great voice and I’m doing a great job,” he said.

That type of feedback is music to his ears. The Randolph High senior said it fuels him to keep pursuing music from when he first started in band in fifth grade.

He plays multiple instruments - alto saxophone, baritone saxophone and also the drum set.

Wortman and others from Randolph High’s choir, and jazz and concert band took to the stage Friday for the annual district music contest in Hartington.

He sang “All Through the Night,” a classic lullaby, for his solo, receiving a 1, the highest rating given. In fact, all of the solo band, choir and group performances also received 1 ratings. The other choral soloist was Lily Umberger. On the band side, Justin Guenther competed with an alto saxophone solo; Jacey Bartels on cello; Edgar Marin on tuba; Nicole Haselhorst on clarinet; Umberger on trombone; and Aeden Ottis on trumpet.

The competition marks the last of Wortman’s high school experience and it’s bittersweet. He said he’s filled with gratitude for current music teacher Andrew Schultz and the others who came before him who struck the right chord to instill a passion for music.

“I really am going to miss it and all the people that support me all the way through,” he said. “I’m going to miss the high school experience.”

Music has been such a large part of his life that he may pursue it at the college level as he plans to attend Northeast Community College in the fall.

“I really love doing band and choir. I love doing it with my friends,” he said. “I love the people and the energy that comes with music. I’ll try to fit it in my schedule as much as I can.”