ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Music has played a big role in Southwestern Heights senior Lacie Banman’s life since elementary school and recently, she reached a big milestone in her scholastic musical career.
Banman recently auditioned for and was selected for the Kansas Music Educators (KMEA) Conference All-State 1234A Band for the fourth year in a row, meaning she has participated all four years of high school. She took part in the band activities late last week in Wichita.
As Banman tells it, her inspiration for joining band was sparked in part by her older sister.
“I started in fifth grade, and I've been in band ever since then. But I remember I was very excited to start because I got to watch my sister be in band, and she played flute,” Banman said. “I discovered I was pretty good at it, so I kept at it, and I absolutely fell in love with making music and being able to create something beautiful and to put emotions into something.”
Banman’s journey to the KMEA Conference band last week actually began while she was still in middle school.
“I got into state, which is a very less extreme version, back when I was in junior high, and then I heard about this KMEA Conference band in high school from my director, Erika Clausing, and she encouraged me to work hard to get into it,” Banman said. “I started working on music because I thought it would be a fun accomplishment if I was able to do it. I ended up getting in freshman year, and that just motivated me to keep working harder to continue to get in every year. I definitely feel very accomplished and rewarded for the hard work that I did, put in and practicing and especially being involved in so many other activities. The audition process has changed a little bit every year. Freshman year, I started working on the audition music in the summer already. But this year, I didn't get to work as much in the summer, and I only started around when school started. And then we go to Salina for live auditions, and then that following week, they let everyone know who got in. When I got the official word for this year, I was very relieved, and it felt good having that stress off. I'm also very excited since this is my last year, and I get to go and enjoy it all. Being able to go all four years is pretty neat.”
Along with helping make music, Banman said it was great seeing some old friends this year.
“I was very excited to go and hang out with some of my band friends I've made over the years, some of whom have graduated, but I get to go make new friends. Being around a bunch of people my age who have the same interest is always a lot of fun,” Banman said. “I love creating, and since I'll be around fellow band students who have done the same work as me, I like knowing this music will be very like cleaned up. It's just always a great time being around fellow band students.”
While there was the excitement of being selected for the group, Banman said there is also a tinge of sadness.
“I'm definitely a little sad this is my last time being able to go, but it is also very relieving because I don't have the stress of auditions anymore,” Banman said. “But I also know if I really wanted to, I could probably play a little in college or as a hobby or something like that. As far as after school plans, I'm going to be attending Seward County Community College and playing volleyball.”
Overall, Banman said, she remains thankful and happy for the opportunity to represent Southwest Kansas in such a way.
“I’m excited to have gotten this opportunity the past four years, and I can't say 'Thank you' enough to Ms. Clausing and everyone else who's supported my music career all these years,” Banman said.
