Newsmakers
Gulf High's Shane Gillen and Mitchell High's Nicolas Remy were recently named winners of the annual Thursday Musicale Scholarship, which is offered to local high school seniors who plan on furthering their musical education in college. The two performed at the Thursday Musicale monthly concert on March 6.
Gillen primarily plays the bassoon and has studied instrumental music for seven years. He served as drum major of the Gulf High Marching Band for two years and as student conductor for the concert band. He has earned superior ratings in solo and ensemble events and participated in Florida's All State Band for three years, most recently playing second bassoon in Florida All State Orchestra. He played in Pasco County's All County Band for six years and is a founding member and saxophone player of Bill Nye's Bow Ties band. He is also the president of Gulf High Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter 3875.
Remy has been playing percussion since sixth grade. He has played in steel drum ensemble, jazz ensemble and with the J.W. Mitchell High School Marching Mustangs. He was drumline captain for the 2013-2014 school year, leading the percussion section to win the Best Percussion in 5A class title. He earned superior ratings in district solo and ensemble evaluations and is also bass drum section captain for an Independent A Class indoor percussion group called Bay Area Percussion. That group has won trophies in area competitions and traveled to Winter Guard International World Championships. Remy performed in the Honor Band at the University of South Florida's Festival of Winds and was the first person at Mitchell High to perform at USF's Festival of Wind's Jazz Ensemble. He also earned first-chair percussion in this year's All-County Honor Band.
Times staff