GHS Band Banquet Honors Its Musicians

Gilmer High School Band held its annual awards banquet in order to honor its musicians.On May 18, 2015 the Gilmer High School Band held its annual awards banquet in order to honor its musicians for the 2014 – 2015 school year at the First Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall on Dalton Street in Ellijay, GA.

Director Joe Pflueger led the ceremonies with a student-made video highlighting the Band’s trip to New York. A highlight which brought tears to some, and laughter to most as the memories flooded their minds.

Director Pflueger himself was brought to tears more than once as he honored his students for their hard work and determination and again as he recognized his group of Seniors, most of which had been with him since 6th grade.

The Seniors we unfortunately must say farewell to included Lance Marshall, Stephen Shaw, Chris Ringwalt, Laura Dombrowski, Taylor Cribb, Chasity Grindle, Brianna Cummings, MaryJo Brooks, Tabitha Goble, Adeline Smith, Caitlin Dunn, Samantha Wilson, Cree Johnson, Matthew Queen, and Joey Smith.

Among the honored students were the Most Outstanding: Gracyn Eskew for Freshmen, Grace Davenport for Sophomores, Chris Heden for Juniors, and Laura Dombrowski for Seniors.
The Most Improved: Zane Gayton for Freshmen, Christopher Adams for Sophomores, Vanny Christopher for Juniors, and Taylor Cribb for Seniors.

Individual awards were presented to:
MaryJo Brooks for Most Outstanding Overall,
Owen Cochran for Most Improved Overall,
Rebeka Christa for the Most Outstanding Colorguard,
Chancie Watkins for the Most Improved Colorguard,
Stephen Shaw for the Bobcat Award,
Chris Heden for the Musicianship Award,
Maci Kiker and Jon Bremm tied for the Pep Band Award,
Chris Ringwalt for the Jazz Band Award,
MaryJo Brooks for the Symphonic Band Award,
Gabrielle Smith for the Section Leader Award,
Stephen Shaw for the Director’s Award,
and Caitlin Dunn for the the Field Leader Award, the Joy Partridge Memorial Award, and the John Phillip Sousa Award.

One award that was not officially recognized last night involved the Band’s Drum Major Caitlin Dunn. Not only taking home three awards for her service, Ms. Dunn is furthering her musical career as she has received almost a full ride to Jacksonville State University to march with their Marching Southerners.

Ms. Dunn has played the French Horn for the Concert Band, Trumpet for the Jazz Band, and Mellophone for the Pep Band and Marching Band, though for the past two years she has held the position of Drum Major for the Marching Band.

As she travels to Jacksonville State this fall, she has announced she will be majoring in Music Education in hopes of teaching high school band. Further she has dreams of attending Drum Corp with Carolina Crown and reaching Drum Major there as well.