by Keaton Nelson
Ouray School Band Concerts have always been an activity that everyone was thrilled to go to. Seeing kids or grandkids perform is something everyone enjoys. But Covid surges, over the past couple of years have disrupted high school and middle school band concerts.
On top of Covid restrictions, Michael Scott moving from Ouray to Ridgway Schools as the band director had an impact on students’ relationship with picking up an instrument and sticking with it. Mr. Scott was a beloved figure within Ouray School as a teacher and someone to relate to and have a laugh with. His departure threatened the connection between students and band.
Luckily, new college graduate Rose Greisz has got the students' backs. For many students, working with Ms. Greisz has been an exhilarating experience over the past two years. Speaking for myself, it has felt amazing to get the feel for band again. Students have enjoyed performing musical themes from our favorite shows from childhood, such as Fairly Odd Parents or Batman. Since Rose Greisz is a younger teacher, her music choices are more relatable and appealing to younger musicians, while also engaging older individuals.
Ouray middle schoolers hope Ms. Greisz can restore the band to what it was under Mr. Scott’s baton. Though few high school students have returned to band, middle schoolers are stepping up and taking a role in more sophisticated music. As the first middle school student to participate in a high school band concert, I feel it really helped me grow as an instrumentalist and gave me a challenge to learn harder music.
Now, there are even more of us. With three more Middle School students wrestling with more complex music, the high school band can grow more as an ensemble. Not only will there be more students participating in the high school band, but now there will be more sound to the pieces being performed.
8th grade french horn player Cavan Pasek said, “When I joined the high school band, there were definitely more difficult songs.” He appreciates the challenge.
Though a couple more instruments might not sound like a lot, an additional alto saxophone, french horn, and baritone come in really handy. Now, stronger melodies and countermelodies can come through in a composition. Referring to high schoolers Bee Boykin and Lis Ray, Ms. Greisz explained, “We have a chance for things from the very lowest voice, like the bass that Bee plays, to the highest voice that flutist Lis plays - but you guys really add in everything in between.”
Hopefully, the band can grow even more in the future. Current band members hope that there will be 20-30 kids in the High School band within the next couple of years.
Everything has got to start somewhere. I’m glad I could contribute with building up the band, and influencing more kids to strive to be their best in playing an instrument. Even now, younger middle school students are hopeful to have the opportunity to play in the high school band.