Bolles Symphonic Band Members Perform with Honor Band

The 2013 District Private Schools Honor Band included 18 Bolles Upper School Symphonic Band musicians. The culminating concert was held February 23 in Terry Concert Hall at Jacksonville University.

The guest conductor for this year’s event was acclaimed band composer and conductor Robert Sheldon. Sheldon is a former high school and university band director who has published more than 300 band compositions and currently serves as chief band music editor for Alfred Music.

Bolles band members performing with the honor band were: Morgan Ashurian ‘15 clarinet; Lauren Bishop ‘15, flute; Alex Chila ‘14, percussion; Anthony Elias ‘14, percussion; Brenna Gehlen ‘14, French horn; Katie Greene ‘14, principal flute; Spencer Hayes ‘15, oboe; Helen Kostandarithes ‘14, clarinet; Nathan Kostick ‘13, trumpet; Alec Lerner ‘14, principal alto sax; Margaret Odom-Tomchin ‘14, tenor sax; Alex Pentel ‘14, clarinet; Robert Pooley ‘16, alto sax; Zereen Sarwar ‘14, flute; Virginia Vasquez ‘14, clarinet; Katie Wegrzyn ‘13, principal tuba; Dani Zentz ‘13, principal clarinet; and Tom Zhang ‘13, principal French horn.




In addition to performing in the honor band, several Bolles seniors also won scholarship recognition for their leadership. Jacksonville University offered $20,000, four-year music scholarships to five seniors from the honor band during the performance event. Of the five students offered the prestigious music scholarship, three were Bolles musicians: Katie Wegrzyn (second year selected to honor band), Dani Zentz (fourth year selected to honor band), and Tom Zhang (third year selected to honor band). These students are all principal players in their sections.




This was the 20th Annual Private Schools Honor Band. The event is the vision of Artie Clifton, JU music professor and band director, who believed in this enrichment opportunity for independent school students and the idea of students working collectively toward concert presentation. Band directors from area private schools presented Clifton with a plaque commemorating the event’s 20-year milestone and expressed their appreciation for his commitment and dedication.