Ten Neligh-Oakdale Students Earn All-State Band Honors

There's a 100 percent success rate with the Neligh-Oakdale band - as far as All State is concerned.

Ten students auditioned for Class C All State, and all 10 made the coveted band, including two who are repeat selections.

"I'm really proud of the kids," Neligh-Oakdale band director Nate Metschke said. "Class C and D is really the heart and soul of schools. If these kids don't do everything, you don't have anything. They are involved in a lot of activities and are doing very well."

Neligh-Oakdale students recognized as Class C All-State honorees for the 2013-14 school year were Megan Chelle and Kaylee Chance, flute; Kelsey Green and Mirissa Hurtig, clarinet; Brittney Marshall, oboe; Danae Smith and Nikki Grosserode, trombone; Blake Heithoff, baritone; Will Paul and Ben Lingenfelter, tuba.

Green and Heithoff also earned All-State honors last year. All but one of the 2013-14 selections are underclassmen, according to Metschke, who is in his 13th year at Neligh-Oakdale.

This is the second time in his tenure that he's had 10 students named to the Class C All-State band, and Metschke said he has a very strong core group of musicians coming back next year.

"Class C All State is one of my favorite weekends because some of finest clinicians are there to work with some of the finest clinicians in the state," Metschke said. "It's a great event, and I'm very proud of our students."

Class C All-State band members will perform March 29 at Kearney High School at 5:30 p.m.

By: Neligh-Oakdale School

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