Music students from Atchison County joined their sounds for family and friends at the annual Band Day concert Friday evening, February 19, 2021, in the Fairfax High School Gym.

For over 60 years, Atchison County high school musicians have joined their sounds for a once-a-year event for family and friends, combining their talents for a performance to remember.

Songs performed at the 2021 Atchison County Band Day included “Aliens Among Us (They’re Here!)” by David Gorham; “Pachelbel Canon” arranged by Robert E. Foster; “Doppler Effect” by Sean O’Loughlin; “Dynamite” arranged by Victor Lopez; and “God Bless the USA” arranged by Johnnie Vinson.

The Atchison County Band Day event, which has been taking place since 1954, was held last Friday, February 19, in Fairfax. Under the direction of Atchison County High School directors Abby Palmer (Rock Port), Dr. Amy Haddock and Melody Barnett (Tarkio), and Debra Wyatt (Fairfax), the students from all three towns joined their sounds and musical abilities to perform for family and friends: “Aliens Among Us (They’re Here!)” by David Gorham; “Pachelbel Canon” arranged by Robert E. Foster; “Doppler Effect” by Sean O’Loughlin; “Dynamite” arranged by Victor Lopez; and “God Bless the USA” arranged by Johnnie Vinson.

Band members include the following (* designates seniors):

Flutes – Anneliese Clauson, Alisha Lomax, Jada Maifeld, Abby Minino, and Lily Smith, Rock Port; and Hailey Morton, Tarkio

Clarinets – Kylie Beasing, Mariah Lawrence, Sara Newbanks, and Raegan Sticken, Rock Port; *Harley Caudill and Addison Noland, Tarkio; and *Gena Mitchell, Fairfax

Bass Clarinets – *RyAnne Herron, Rock Port; and Brooklyn Wennihan, Tarkio

Alto Saxophones – Matthew Driskell and Morgan Shaw, Tarkio

Tenor Saxophone – *Harlee Pritt, Rock Port

Baritone Saxophone – Caden Brown, Fairfax

Trumpets – Christian Sticken, Rock Port; and Faith Anderson, Alex Barnett, and Jozee Eaton, Tarkio

Trombones – *Max Jackson, Rock Port; and Trent Kingery, Fairfax

Baritone – *Devin Guajardo, Tarkio

Tuba – Brentyn Herron, Rock Port

Percussion – Trulin Pankau and Taylor Pruett, Rock Port; *Cole Miller and Georgia Swinehart, Fairfax; and Alexis Bywater and Daniel Lesher, Tarkio

Although the students practice the pieces at their individual schools, they only have one day to bring it all together to make it work. It’s quite an accomplishment and the musicians always pull off a spectacular performance.

Three generations of Fairfax participants

Three generations of Fairfax participants were in attendance at the Atchison County Band Concert Friday, February 19. From left to right, they are: Lisa Southard Mitchell (Class of 1990); Gena Mitchell (Class of 2021); and Suzanne Davis Southard (Class of 1970). All were or are members of Fairfax R-3 band programs.