Ten NCS middle school students travelled to Lynchburg on Saturday, January 12, to participate in the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association District VI All-District Band Competition. The VBODA District VI is comprised of both public and private schools in 13 counties and also includes public and private schools in the cities of Covington, Danville, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Radford, Roanoke, Salem, South Boston, and Bedford. Needless to say, the competition is rigorous and the performances are demanding. The top performers were placed in two separate bands: the Symphonic (first band) and the Concert (second band).

Helen Schmedtje ‘17 was invited to join the Symphonic Band as the first chair flute player for the district with an outstanding score of 197 out of a possible 200 points. Four other students were invited to join the Concert band. Shaida Campbell ‘17 will perform as second chair flute, Zack H’Doubler ‘17 as fourth chair alto saxaphone, Caroline McGimsey ‘17 as fifth chair clarinet, and Kevin Bao ‘18 as seventh chair clarinet. Natalie List ’17 is the first alternate oboe chair, and will thus be the first asked to perform should any other oboe player be unable to. These students will participate in all All-District Band Weekend on February 15 and 16 here in Roanoke at Cave Spring High School. In addition, Abigail Chernault ‘18, Charlie Lemon ‘17, Ann Ashley Daniel ‘19, and Nalin Jha ‘19 contributed to the school has received in over 13 years. In addition, Ann Ickes ‘14 in the upper school made the All-District Concert band at the high school level.

All of these students are taught by North Cross School Band Director and Fine Arts Department Chair, Ms. Jimmie Donnini. Ms. Donnini has been teaching at NCS for 13 years and was named the winner of the 2013 Morris Award for Excellence in Teaching at North Cross School.

North Cross School is a college-preparatory, day school grounded in a strong liberal arts and science curriculum combined with exceptional co-curricular programs. The academic program, from junior kindergarten through twelfth grade, prepares students to become responsible, successful citizens by encouraging them to explore their interests and develop their talents. The School is located at 4254 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 24018

Submitted by Whitney Campbell