A record 13 Seymour High School band students were selected to participate in the Indiana Bandmasters Association all-district honor band concert this past weekend in Shelbyville.

The students spent Saturday rehearsing with conductor guest Elliott Lentz and then performed the concert Sunday.

Seymour was represented by Chloe Bryden (flute/piccolo), Harrison Cottrill (French horn), Sarah Davis (clarinet), Brandon Holtman (French horn), Ora Lovett (tuba), Josiah Massengale (trombone), Dustin Morris (trombone), Baleigh Penrose (clarinet), Grace Rennekamp (flute, alternate), Morgan Sargent (percussion), Janet Taguchi (baritone saxophone), Jacob Voss (tuba) and Bailee Wolfe (French horn).

“To have 13 students selected for all-district band from one school is exceptional,” said Kevin Cottrill, band director at Seymour High School. “Making this band is similar to being selected as all-conference in a sport.”

Students applied to participate in all-district band and were chosen from a rating system, director criteria and voting. They also are selected by section need and sometimes by age.

This year, Seymour had 17 applications, and 12 students made the band, with one student chosen as a first alternate.

Cottrill said that validates teacher and student work and music making.

“This is a large and significant number of students to make all-district band,” Cottrill said. “These numbers suggest that our students are equally competitive with some of the finest band members in southern Indiana. Our band has the largest number of participants from our site this year. This is also a very positive statistic.”

The selected students prepared six pieces of music chosen by Lentz and had them fully prepared before the all-district band weekend.

Cottrill said the music selected was really diverse in style, character and tempo and made for a great concert program. The pieces included “Sheltering Sky,” music from “The Incredibles” and “Angelic Celebrations.”

He said the music challenged, motivated and inspired his students.

“Honor bands are very special, and to be chosen to participate is a great individual honor,” Cottrill said. “Our students always do a great job representing our school, community and band program.”