Four Haines students have been chosen to attend the all-state Honor Festival, where they will be challenged to perform difficult pieces alongside the state’s best young musicians.
Trombonist Quinn Asquith-Heinz, 18, this week was rehearsing three pieces he described as “some of the hardest music” he’s ever seen, with far-ranging rhythms and speed. That will include “triple tonguing,” a technique for creating a staccato burst of sound.
This week’s trip to Anchorage for the festival will be the first for Asquith-Heinz and for fellow senior and singer Devin Braaten. They’re joining singers Karissa Land, a junior, and senior Hannah Wing, who qualified for state last week. Both are sopranos.
Braaten is one of only a few students who qualified for the Southeast Honor Festival in each of his four years of high school. He’s hoping to pursue a minor in music in college next year.
Braaten said his interest in music started early. “I just started singing. It was something I could do when I didn’t want to be someplace. It was sort of an escape when people were being ornery. It was like a self-sedative.”
He said he enjoys singing classical songs, including old church hymns, and “anything from back in the day.” This week he was working on memorizing six songs he’ll be called on to perform as part of the all-state choir, and figures he’ll be practicing on the van up to Anchorage. “We’ve been practicing a lot.”
Asquith-Heinz took up trombone in fifth grade. “I sort of liked the pitch of it. It’s the same as my voice. I like that area of sound. I also like that it’s a simple instrument. You just slide the slide.”
He has played with the school pep band and a Juneau youth symphony and aims to perform with the school band at University of Alaska-Fairbanks next year. He said he’s looking forward to performing at a higher level.
“I like playing with people who enjoy playing instead of with people who are in band because they have to be. It’s a better vibe,” Asquith-Heinz said.
Junior Jess Giddings also qualifiied for Southeast Honor Festival as alto.