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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2018)
MAY 4, 2018, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 KeizerCommunity McNary musicians place at state KEIZERTIMES.COM By DEREK WILEY Of the Keizertimes When Kacey Whitfi eld went to an instrument fi t- ting at the end of the fourth grade, she knew exactly which mouth piece she wanted. Her older brother and sis- ter, both musicians, had al- ready made that decision for her. “My sister was a trumpet player and my brother was a trombone and they kind of brainwashed me from age 3 to play the French horn so that we could have a brass trio,” Whitfi eld said. “People usually start out on a different instru- ment and switch to French horn. I didn’t want to try on any other instruments. I just wanted to try the French horn mouth piece.” Whitfi eld knew right away that she had made the right decision and by the time she was in the sixth grade was playing with eighth graders in the top band. Now a sophomore at Mc- Nary, Whitfi eld placed second in the OSAA State Solo Com- petition at Pacifi c University in Forest Grove on Saturday, April 28. Southridge senior Layan Atieh won the event. Two of the three judges had White- fi eld and Atieh separated by just one point. “It’s something I’ve imag- ined but I never really ex- pected it to happen,” Whit- fi eld said. “Part of me is glad I didn’t take fi rst because there would be so much pressure to win the next two years. Now I still feel like I have areas I can improve on and hopefully be state champion by my senior year.” Each musician played for a maximum 10 minutes in front of the judges. Whitfi eld, play- ing Concerto for Horn and Strings by Gordon Jacob, was the sec- ond to last French horn player, just before Atieh. “I made the decision not to listen to anybody before me just because I didn’t want to get psyched out,” Whitfi eld said. “After I played I felt really good about my performance. I got to hear her (Atieh) perfor- mance and right away knew that she was amazing and was probably going to win.” Along with the band, Whit- fi eld joined the McNary choir this year. “I’ve always love singing,” Submitted Danny Okada, left, and Jeremiah Voight, with director Jennifer Bell, placed fourth in small brass ensemble. Submitted ABOVE: Chandler Foster, Kayla Jones, Katana Hamilton, Nicho- las Weathers, Rilei Smith, Julia Melting and Ana Diaz fi nished third in large woodwind ensemble. BELOW: Danny Okada, Jer- emiah Voight, Kacey Whitfi eld, Andy Okada and Jesus Marti- nez placed third in large brass ensemble. Submitted McNary sophomore Kacey Whitfi eld placed second at the OSAA State Solo Competition in the French horn at Pacifi c University on Saturday, April 28. she said. “I’ve never been as good at it as I have at French horn. It’s still a lot of fun and I am improving.” Whitfi eld was also voted Miss Marion-Polk County Outstanding Teen in 2017 and is competing for Miss Three Rivers Outstanding Teen on Saturday, May 5 in Oregon City. For her talent, she’ll play Colors of the Wind on the French horn. Her platform is music education in schools. Along with placing sec- ond in the French horn, Whitefi eld also played in the state ensemble competition on Friday, fi nishing third in large brass ensemble with Danny Okada (trumpet), Jer- emiah Voight (trumpet), Andy Okada (trombone) and Jesus Martinez (tuba); and fourth in large woodwind ensemble with Cole Branson (bassoon), Tabitha Sol (oboe), Nicholas Weathers (clarinet) and Rose LeLack (fl ute). McNary’s clarinet en- semble of Weathers, Chandler Foster, Kayla Jones, Katana Hamilton, Rilei Smith, Julia Melting and Ana Diaz also We are Everything Except Overpriced Simple Cremation $875 Inexpensive Burial and Funeral Options Pre-Planning Available On-Site Crematory 4365 RIVER RD N, KEIZER 503.393.7037 Se habla español took third in the state. Voight and Danny Okada placed fourth in small brass ensemble. Voight also took home a solo medal, fi nishing sixth in the trumpet. McNary’s band is directed by Jennifer Bell.
