Senior Julian Hough, one of 670 students chosen nation wide, practices for his national performance in the NCHS band room.
Mackenzie Lewis
Reporter
On Monday, October 27th the National band, sponsored by the National Association for Musical Education (NAfME), performed in a concert in Nashville, Tennessee. After years of practicing and dedication, senior and clarinetist Julian Hough, was among the 670 high school musicians chosen to be a member of the All-National Honors Band.
Since middle school, the clarinet has played a large role in Julian’s life. “I started in fifth grade. It was just on a whim. I didn’t really have a set decision why I chose it, and now it has become a huge part of my life,” he said.
“Julian has developed a very high level of success because he practices diligently and sequentially,” NCHS band teacher Scott Cranston said. “He has a very high level of technique which comes from practicing the scales and patterns on the instrument that are required to play beautiful music.”
Julian has qualified and played for the Connecticut All-State band in the past three years and has also attended the Western Regional and All-Eastern festivals. “The best concert I’ve performed in would have to be last year in the All-Eastern festival where I played “Pines of Rome” as my solo. There was a whole page dedicated for my solo.”
“He sent in a tape against other people across the country and was selected to be in the All-National band because of his participation in past festivals,” Mr. Cranston said. “I did this myself in 1986 in Anaheim, California. I know that it was really life changing for me, this is the first time I have had a student do it too.”
NCHS band members also said they recognized Julian’s distinct abilities. “Julian has always been a great musician, and his acceptance to nationals is another great opportunity that he has received because of his phenomenal playing,” senior and band member Brian Huff said. “I know Julian performed excellently and represented NCHS well.”
After helping with Julian’s preparation, Mr. Cranston said that Julian was in good condition to perform at the national festival. “I think he did very well. He is always very well prepared,” Mr. Cranston said.
Julian and the rest of the chosen musicians from across the United States performed as ensemble leads by the top conductors on Wednesday, October 30th at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. “I’m glad this opportunity will add on to my experience as a musician. Nationals were an amazing experience where I could perform with the nation’s best high school musicians,” Julian said.
Throughout the school’s band history, Julian was the first to be recognized by the NAfME, and his participation in the band gave him the opportunity to perform for four of the top conductors in the United States, including Dr. Peter Boonshaft, Miriam Burns, Rollo Dilworth, and Rodney Whitaker.
“A memorable part of nationals would have to be when the conductor called up Rossano Gallante, a famous composer, who listened to us perform his piece,” Julian said, “Finishing that play-through made everyone in the band realize, that not only did we play it, but we performed it the best.”
Sophomore and band member, Claire Conley said she admired Julian’s skill and ability to perform at the NAfME nationals. “Not only does the pool of kids increase in nationals, but so does the level of playing,” she said. “The amount of dedication and practicing that goes into this is immense. Julian is truly a musical prodigy.”
After returning from the national performance, Julian said the experience left a profound impression on him. “The professionalism produced from everyone was at such a high level that made the experience much more special. I will never forget playing with these musicians who were eager and ready to play at any time.”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az0kGb4pCdU&feature=youtu.be
NCTV filmed Julian performing with the rest of the NCHS band before heading off to nationals.
