In November, students from across the state of Indiana submitted audition videos to the Indiana Bandmasters Association. Lincoln Junior High School 8th grader Levi Hutchinson was amongst those 7th-9th graders who spent a month practicing and preparing the audition music. Levi, along with 98 other students, was selected to be a member of the 2021 IBA Junior All-State Band.
After the selection, Levi joined four other tuba players for a virtual session with Drake University professor Vince Kenney. They learned not only tuba techniques, but the new procedures for musicians creating music videos for compilation projects. These compilation videos take quite a bit of preparation and practice in order to line up music with musicians who are never in the same room together.
After much practice, Levi recorded his individual part of the two pieces of music on the IBA Junior All-State Program: High Country Fanfare by Walter Cummings and Summit by Kevin Day. Summit was premiered by the Junior All-State Band, meaning the piece had never been played before. The honor band students were responsible for reading the music and bringing the composer’s vision to life.
Levi stated, “I was very honored to be chosen to be a part of [the Junior] All-State Band this year. I was proud to represent my school and was very excited to see how the committee put together all of the solos that were separately recorded together. I was also very honored to be able to sit down with a college professor and get advice. I thank everyone that helped me get to this point.”
If you are interested in viewing the performance, the video may be found on Youtube by clicking the link or searching “2021 IBA Junior All State Band Concert”.
