The Darlington Bands would like to congratulate Gracie Cowan ('26), clarinet; Cooper Laliberte ('27), tenor saxophone; and Nancy Zhang ('26), clarinet, for being selected to the University of Georgia’s high school honors band festival, JanFest. These musicians will be the first Darlington Band members to take part in this event. Gracie, Cooper and Nancy will travel to Athens Jan. 16-18, where they will rehearse in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music under multiple guest conductors. They will perform at UGA’s Performing Arts Center on Saturday alongside many other dedicated high school band members from across the state of Georgia and surrounding areas. They will no doubt return to Darlington as even stronger musicians and leaders.
Junior Gracie Cowan has played clarinet since fourth grade. She started learning her instrument in our very own Thatcher Hall Band Room. She is very busy outside of band as a member of the varsity girls' soccer team and football cheerleading team, the Arts Council, the Regester House leader team, and is active at her church. Gracie says she enjoys the sense of community in the band and she likes creating music in an ensemble. She looks forward to playing in a much bigger band at JanFest and learning from the guest conductors. As an eight-year member of our Darlington Band Program, I can say that Gracie is a positive influence at every rehearsal, and she is often that reliable person we look to as we try to accomplish some of the more difficult music in rehearsal. She has always been one of our top players in each band, even when playing in the lower and middle grades.
Sophomore Cooper Laliberte came to Darlington as an eighth-grader but started playing alto saxophone in the seventh grade. He has consistently been an enthusiastic leader since entering our band program, and served as president of the Middle School Band during his first year. Last year, Cooper made the switch to tenor saxophone, and we can always rely on him to play either alto or tenor as needed. Cooper is talented and quite busy outside of band as a member of the cross country team, the Chess Club, The Darlington Players and Model UN, as well as a volunteer with ESP. We are excited for Cooper to take on a vocal role in this year's Winter Musical production of "Newsies." I love how Cooper keeps the band's energy level high and is always active in seeking any opportunities to help him grow as a jazz saxophonist. Last summer, he attended Jazz Camp at Loyola University of New Orleans and took jazz saxophone lessons. He has also prepared audition material for District Jazz Honors Band and the Governor’s Honors Programs. Cooper loves learning new music in band and enjoys the community. He looks forward to playing challenging repertoire at JanFest and meeting other serious high school musicians.
Nancy, a junior boarding student, began her journey at Darlington as a sophomore and made an immediate difference in the Upper School Band. She began playing clarinet in the fourth grade at her elementary school in China. Nancy has done a great job finding her place in the band and is playing at a high level. Last year, she auditioned for our District VII Honors Band and won a seat in their clarinet section, beating out half of the other participants. She was the first Darlington band member to achieve that honor in some time. Nancy comes to the band room early most Saturday mornings to practice clarinet with a private instructor. She plays tennis and is involved in the Darlingtones and the Winter Musical production of "Newsies." She enjoys being in Darlington’s band because it allows her to perform new genres and perform in front of live audiences. In Nancy’s own words, "It is great to be part of the band and work with my peers as a team to create some fantastic music." She looks forward to meeting many talented musicians at JanFest and improving her skills. I would describe Nancy as a musical powerhouse who is quiet but with a strong determination. I believe those in her section at JanFest will sense this.
I’m very excited for our experience at JanFest. This is a new trip for us, but it is a big event in the state of Georgia in terms of band opportunities. I look forward to watching Gracie, Cooper, and Nancy work with the other students and their conductors. I know they will bring back new skills and ideas to help improve our Upper School Band. I’m proud of them, and I’m sure they will represent us well at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.
