Wausa students take part in conference instrumental music clinic

PLAINVIEW – Two Wausa High School students recently attended an event of note – as in musical notes.

Sophomore Jessica Andersen and freshman Braydon Hoesing traveled to Plainview High School on Jan. 21 to participate in the 2023 Lewis and Clark Conference Instrumental Music Clinic for Clark Division schools.

Jennifer Fees, Wausa Public Schools’ vocal and instrumental music teacher for grades 5-12, asked which students wanted to go to the clinic and the interested ones auditioned for the event.

Andersen said ‘yes’ immediately when asked about auditioning and attending the clinic.

“I love band stuff like this,” she said. “Being at the clinic made me super happy.

“I ran into my cousin Natalie and we both agreed that our experience was absolutely amazing,” she said.

Hoesing noted he had a fun time at the clinic.

“The entire band did a great job, and our director was very cool,” he said.

Most of their day was spent practicing their instruments in rehearsals until a late-afternoon concert.

Andersen, a clarinet player, noted all of the student participants had to audition for chairs – such as second clarinet for her – which she described as “very fun.”

“One thing I’m very proud of is I placed first chair by audition against nine other people,” she said. “I truly enjoyed every bit of it.”

Hoesing, a French horn player, earned firstchair honors as well on his instrument at the clinic.

“It was a cool experience being a member of a larger band,” he said. “I really enjoyed the sound that you can create with that many people.”

Andersen noted she has learned quite a lot from being in the band program at Wausa and attending clinics.

“I learned that being in band created a loving environment that can help you express yourself,” she said. “Music is a lot like a therapy to the soul. Playing it is a bonus.” Andersen recalled she has been a Wausa band member for five years on the clarinet. “I had my doubts when I first started, but now I love it,” she said. “It has a unique sound to it, which causes songs to sound much fuller with clarinet in it. “Music is a wonderful experience for me, and I have had such fun participating in the Wausa band with all of the people who stayed in it,” she said. Hoesing noted he has been a member of the band program at Wausa since the fifth grade. “I play multiple instruments in and out of band, and I like that they are more unique and have a cool full sound,” he said. Hoesing recalled he attended difference band clinics throughout junior high, but the recent one was a new experience for him. “This was the first high school competitive event I have attended,” he said. Andersen noted she was able to attend the clinic last year.

“Along with that, I attended Class D All-State Band in the spring last year,” she said.

“These clinics have allowed me to grow even more as a musician and encourages me to follow my dreams as a music major,” she said.