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Pasco All-County Band students give noteworthy performance

Middle school and high school All-County bands played at the River Ridge High School Center for the Arts in January.
 
Abigail McNulty, before going on stage, takes a few minutes to go over skills on the marimba. Abigail has been playing percussion since sixth grade and plans a future with music studies and to become a music professor. GAIL DIEDERICH | Special to the Time
Abigail McNulty, before going on stage, takes a few minutes to go over skills on the marimba. Abigail has been playing percussion since sixth grade and plans a future with music studies and to become a music professor. GAIL DIEDERICH | Special to the Time
Published Feb. 8, 2019

NEW PORT RICHEY — The "William Tell Overture" came to a rousing end, bringing the packed audience at River Ridge High School Center for the Arts to their feet, applauding enthusiastically.

High school All-County Band members – 88 of them – and guest conductor John Southall beamed. The difficult selections they'd just performed at the Jan. 26 concert thrilled family members and guests, and also were part of the program that showcased "the best of the best" in Pasco County's middle- and high-school band programs.

Prior to the high school performance, 85 middle school All-County Band members played for an enthusiastic audience. From the moving presentation of their opening song, "The Star Spangled Banner," to a group favorite, "Monster Under the Bed," the band highlighted a variety of musical techniques, with enthusiastic conductor Karen Crocco.

Band members auditioned in early fall for the prestigious "all-county" honor. On Jan. 25, students met with conductor/clinicians Southall and Crocco for the first time. With only eight hours of practice together, the students worked hard to play at an expert level, pulling off a performance that kept the audience motionless for nearly two hours.

Lilly Xu, 14, and a Pine View Middle School International Baccalaureate eighth-grader who plays clarinet, felt the responsibility of the All-County and All-State honors she's earned the past two years.

"I'm representing clarinets in my county and in my school," said Lilly, who plans to play with the Land O' Lakes High School Band.

Abigail McNulty, a Mitchell High School senior and band percussionist, started her music journey in Trinity Oaks Elementary music classes. As a Seven Springs Middle School sixth-grader, she expressed interest in band. Her mom suggested percussion, because there was a drum set at home.

Abigail never looked back. She's earned All-County honors for five years and All-State for the past three years. She plans to attend Florida State University, majoring in percussion and becoming a music professor.

Tom Viking, program coordinator of fine arts for Pasco schools, acknowledged the high level of student performance.

"Not only are they highly talented, they're the most well-behaved, nicest and al- around best young people you can find anywhere," said Viking.

Southall and Crocco had high praise for both groups. Southall has been active in music education for 29 years and is director of bands and coordinator of music education at Indian River State College.

Crocco's 30-year career includes several years in Pasco County. She's program coordinator for the professional development for arts educators for federal grants and training specialist of visual and performing arts in St. Lucie Public Schools.

Times Correspondent Gail Diederich is a retired teacher. She has 32 years of experience, including 28 years in Pasco County Schools, where she taught gifted students and was a reading specialist. She also taught education, general studies and business leadership at Pasco Hernando State College and at Saint Leo University..

http://www.tampabay.com/pasco/robots-recreation-and-education-pasco-studentss-school-day-continues-beyond-the-bell-20190127/