Du Quoin Middle School musicians win big at contest
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Du Quoin Middle School band students took home nearly 30 honors at the Illinois Grade School Music Association's solo and ensemble contest last weekend.<br /> Hundreds of students from all over southern Illinois participated in the music contest. Twenty-eight band students represented Du Quoin Middle School. <span class="contextualExtensionHighlight ms-font-color-themePrimary ms-border-color-themePrimary ident_910_1017" tabindex="0">Students began preparing for the contest in January, and their hard work and practice paid off on Saturday.</span> Overall, the students took home 27 first-division ratings and two first superior ratings. <br /> Students earning first ratings were Savannah Fronek, Hailee Gaines, Elizabeth Davis and Joella Patterson on flutes; Matt Hill on flute and guitar; Maddie Decker, Katie Indorante and Summer Woodsides on clarinet; Sophie Davis on bass clarinet; Garrick Blevins and Ben Hill on alto saxophone; Toby Hottes on tenor saxophone; Aubrey Barwick on baritone saxophone; Waylon Mydler, Brady Knapp, Zach Jones, Payton Wood, Matthew Worthington and Hunter Ping on trumpets; Reese Tilley, Paul Dunklin, Ben Harsy and Guy Indorante on trombones; and Reese Rodely, Lauren Heape and Owen Cornett on percussion. <br /> Students that earned first superior ratings were Garrett Juhl on tenor saxophone and Landen Swiney on tuba. <br /> The band sends special thanks to Marla Uhles and Barb Oney for working with and accompanying students since January. <br /> The Marching Warriors next performance is this Saturday. The band will be competing at the IGSMA Organizational Full Band Contest held at Marion Jr. High School.</span></span>