HONOR BAND AND OMEA ACHIEVEMENTS

This has already been a busy 2025 for the Grandview Heights Instrumental Music program! At the end of January, eight GHHS musicians performed solos at OMEA, and

 all of them achieved either a superior (I) or excellent (II) rating, the two highest ratings available. Performers included:

• Ben Carini, senior, trumpet solo
• Peyton Debelak, junior, bass clarinet solo
• Max McCollough, sophomore, horn solo
• Charlotte Ritzman, sophomore, flute solo
• Maura Yates, sophomore, cello solo
• Hudson Barber, freshman, alto sax solo
• Callie Rutter, freshman, flute solo
• Isla Swisher, freshman, soprano sax solo

Then during the first weekend of February, GHHS musician Max McCollough performed with The Ohio State University Honor Band Festival. This is Max's second year being selected to perform in this prestigious event. Over 900 individual student nominations were submitted by band directors from nine states for this year's event. Ultimately, 270 musicians representing over 150 high schools were selected for the three honor bands.
 
Finally, over President's Day Weekend, three GHHS band students and seven LMS band students participate in the Ohio Wesleyan Honor Band. LMS musicians included Rose Ritzman (alto sax, 8th grade), Halle McNamara (trombone, 8th grade), Ashlyn Quinby (baritone, 8th grade), Molly Brooks (clarinet, 8th grade), Sydney Heren (tenor sax, 8th grade), Maddi Barger(flute, 8th grade), and Audrey Connell (clarinet, 7th grade). GHHS musicians included Max McCollough (horn, 10th grade), Charlotte Ritzman (flute, 10th grade), and Isla Swisher (tenor sax, 9th grade). All of these musicians were  selected by director nomination. 
 
Two middle school honor bands and one high school honor band performed at the event, with each group featuring around 90 gifted musicians from across the state of Ohio. What made this honor band extra special is that all three GHHS musicians served as the principal (first chair) player of their section in the high school honor band! Max and Charlotte were also featured together on a duet during one of the honor band pieces. Grandview's talents were truly on full display! 

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