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Kyle Egan and Her Bass Clarinet

Leaving her audition with almost a perfect score, Kyle Egan, new member of the Southern Region High School Festival Band, was “scared out of [her] mind” walking into the judging room with her bass clarinet in hand.

The audition was based on three components: scales (major and minor), sight reading, and a prepared piece. The rubric is based on 270 points, of which Egan received 244. 

“The sight reading portion was bad,” said Egan. “I would have loved it if it were easier, like at an elementary school level.”

Egan began by playing clarinet at the end of her elementary school career then made the switch to bass clarinet, so she is familiar with the different skill levels of music. 

“My band teacher in 2016 made me conduct the band because I told him I did not want to be a band teacher,” said Egan. “I learned I can always accomplish hard things.”

This mindset held true when she had to play an etude for judges at the festival. 

 The festival includes different forms of an ensemble, like jazz, band, orchestra and choir. It splits Connecticut into four regions: North, East, South and West. Qualifying numbers allow a player to audition statewide, of which Egan did receive recognition.

Egan has a year of musical events ahead as her high school career comes to a close, but as college is still eight months away, Egan is only focused on preparing for the festival on January 20th that she worked so hard to be a part of.

“I want to continue playing bass clarinet once I leave high school,” said Egan. “I hope I can find a band on my school’s campus.”

Hannah Mudry

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