Music Teacher Julie Capps Bids Farewell at Worth County Music Concert

Worth County music teacher Julie Capps bid farewell to the school at the Band and Choir Concert held Friday evening. She will be retiring after this school year. Over the last three years, the band and music programs have won numerous awards along with “I” and “II ratings at district and state levels. Under her direction, several different musical groups were formed and a junior high choir was organized for the first time. The old school fight song, “Faithful and True-Hearted,” played at Worth County sporting events from the 1930’s to the 1980’s, was resurrected and played for the first time in over 30 years by the band. While she has been to many places over her long career, Capps said, “I was glad to have finished my career at Worth County.”

Among students that were recognized, Drew Martell was named Most Valuable Player. Capps said she judges bands from around the state all the time, and the lack of a good tuba player means a lack of balance for the band. Most improved were Allison Anderson and A.J. Drury. Outstanding in Section awards went to Keelin Engel, Merrideth Spiers, Riley Drury, and Liz Owens. Outstanding Junior High musicians were Aivry Griffin, Lincoln Moore, and Josh Freed. The Above and Beyond Award went to Lincoln Moore and Merrideth Spiers.

Two students received national recognition this year. Drew Martell received the John Philip Sousa Award. Riley Drury received the National High School Choral Award.

The Junior High Choir performed a mixture of patriotic music, sacred music, and a couple of light-hearted songs. Merrideth Spiers performed a french horn solo.

A group of choir performers who received “I” ratings at district gave their performances. The Ladies Choir sang “Festival Sanctus” and “Old Abram Brown.” A girls trio of Keelin Engel, Lauren Moore, and Merrideth Spiers sang, “Bushes and Briars” and “Home of My Heart.” The entire choir  performed two numbers, followed by Jeremy Wimer, who sang two solos. A quartet of Megan Cassavaugh, Kennedy Galanakis, Olivia Kanak, and Lincoln Moore played “Sailor’s Hornpipe.” The band played several numbers, including the Tiger Fight Song.

The Concert Choir had 12 members, and all 12 of them received at least one honor. Sopranos were Keelin Engel, Misty Helt, Lauren Moore, Bailee Walker, and Justina Wimer. Altos were Riley Drury, Aivry Griffin, Olivia Kanak, and Merrideth Spiers. Baritones were A.J. Drury, Andrew Martell, and Jeremy Wimer. Participating in the District Choir were Keelin Engel, Misty Helt, Justina Wimer, Aivry Griffin, Olivia Kanak, Merrideth Spiers, A.J. Drury, and Jeremy Wimer. Participating in the State FFA Choir was Keelin Engel. Participating in the Four State Honor Choir were Keelin Engel and Bailee Walker.

New this year for the music program was the Missouri Western State University Honor Choir. Participating this year were Keelin Engel, Bailee Walker, Riley Drury, and A.J. Drury. Members of the newly-formed Tri-M Music Society were Keelin Engel, Lauren Moore, Bailey Walker, Riley Drury, and Merrideth Spiers.

For the band, five different seniors were recognized. They were Riley Drury, Olivia Davidson, Drew Martell, Quentin Miller, and Elizabeth Owens. Members of the band were:
Flutes – Alison Anderson, Ali Brown, Lanie Cousatte, Riley Drury, Navada Hoff, Gabe Latham, Claire McElvain.
Clarinets – Elizabeth Brown, Olivia Davidson, Taylor Sanders, Bailee Walker, Justina Wimer.
Alto Saxophones – Megan Cassavaugh, Kennedy Galanakis, Jill Hardy, Braidy Hunt, Olivia Kanak.
Tenor Saxophone – Kennedy Galanakis.
Baritone – Cash Jacobs, Lauren Moore, Lincoln Moore.
Cello – Keelin Engel.
Baritone Sax – Lincoln Moore.
French Horn – Anna Spainhower, Merrideth Spiers.
Bass Clarinet – Addison Blankenship.
Tubas – Misty Helt, Jase Latham, Drew Martell, Quentin Miller.
Trumpets – Levi Cassavaugh, Wyatt Craven, Aivry Griffin, Maddy Runde, Jeremy Wimer.
Trombones – Daniel Craven, A.J. Drury, Trent Gabriel, Jon Galanakis, Aydan Gladstone, Jackson Runde.
Percussion – Austin Atkinson, Dillon Farmer, Josh Freed, Caden Moyer, Elizabeth Owens, Tucker Owens.

Named to the Four State Honor Band were Riley Drury, Merrideth Spiers, and Kennedy Galanakis. Band officers were Riley Drury, Lincoln Moore, Merrideth Spiers, Olivia Davidson, Kennedy Galanakis, Lauren Moore, Keelin Engel, Drew Martell, Jeremy Wimer, Trent Gabriel, and Elizabeth Owens. Named to the District Honor Band was Lincoln Moore. Named to the GRC Band was Lincoln Moore.

Junior High Choir members were Lance Abplanalp, Hailey Adwell, Nicolas Aragon, Jazmine Brooks, Grant Cameron, Cooper Chapman, Jace Cousatte, Cheyanne Fairchild, Coner Gladstone, James Gladstone, ZeeAnna Gladstone, Braxton Hightshoe, Chloe Knight, Briley Knight, Calli Mancuso, Molly Miller, Tanner Ridge, Alex Rinehart, Marshall Ruckman, Jackson Smith, Lucas Wake, and Drew Welch.