Carnegie Hall Performance - Kitana
Donation protected
Wildcat Loose in New York City
The boom of the bass: an instantly identifiable sound felt in one’s bones and soul. During any given Friday night during football season at Hugh Hamilton Stadium, one can feel the energizing waves rolling off the bass guitar as the renowned Marching Wildcats gear up for their impeccable halftime show. The person responsible for the magic of the bass? Kitana Queen.
The AHS Marching Band, widely and fondly known as the “Pride of the Valley,” have celebrated many superior ratings over the years at competitions, with the most recent being this fall, where they truly shone as Pride of the Valley and captured Grand Champion for 1 and 2A schools not once, but twice. Along with Grand Champion, the Marching Wildcats also secured 1st place awards for percussion, visual, color guard, and overall elements. Riding the wave of their most recent victories, the members of the marching band received another, much anticipated bit of good news on Halloween, when their very own Kitana Queen was chosen to represent them in the globally renowned High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
For the past 7 years Kitana Queen, now an Andrews High School senior, has been a part of Marching and Jazz bands under the direction of Joslyn Parker-Booth. She exhibited a talent for her chosen instrument early on and has always worked hard to put forth her best performance each time she stepped on a field or stage. During her time as a member of the Andrews High School Band, Kitana is an integral part of the success of the group. During her high school career she has pushed herself to work with her peers through collaboration to take the band to new heights, and she is well-liked and respected by her peers in and out of band. As a senior, Kitana has taken on even more of a leadership role by mentoring middle school band students in marching band, which ensures the high standards and expectations of the Marching Wildcats are passed on to those working to become part of the renowned band.
Band director Joslyn Parker-Booth cannot speak highly enough of Kitana: “She has been in every ensemble we have offered: concert, marching, jazz, and percussion ensemble.” Kitana was invited to audition for the performance series, which entailed her working and practicing with Mrs. Parker-Booth after school for 5 hours per week for a solid two months, learning an etude provided by the Selection Board, and learning a technique entirely new to her in order to submit a recording to the Selection Board for review. Mrs. Parker-Booth notes the level of dedication shown by her student in that “Kitana [had to] learn the string bass and bowing techniques, [an entirely new instrument, essentially] in order to audition when she is accustomed to an electric bass.” This level of commitment on part of Kitana is evidence that this once in a lifetime opportunity and honor is being bestowed on an outstanding and deserving young woman.
Andrews High School principal, Dr. Lisa Fletcher, was thrilled to receive the news of Kitana’s acceptance to the Performance Series. “When Mrs. Parker-Booth called and told me the news I was jumping up and down in my office and immediately went to congratulate Kitana in person. She is an outstanding young lady that has stepped up as a leader, has outstanding character, always keeps us laughing, and is a valuable part of our school community. We are so proud of her!” While Andrews High School had 4 choral students attend the Performance series in 2010 under the direction of Kim Cozart, Kitana is the first and only AHS band student to ever be invited to and selected as part of the Carnegie Honors Performance Series. “I can’t put into words how excited I am to be able to do this” Queen says, “I am honored to be able to have the chance to represent the AHS band and school at such a huge performance. I am so thankful to Mrs. Parker-Booth for putting up with me all these years, for always going above and beyond what is required of her and working with me, pushing me to be my best and challenge myself, and above all for always believing in me.” Kitana will continue her after school practice sessions with Mrs. Parker-Booth to master the music sent to her by the Performance Series and prepare for the event.
The event, taking place February 01-05, 2018, will be held in New York City, and is an event in which “Selected musicians rehearse and perform under master conductors and have the opportunity to meet other like-minded musicians from around the world,” according to the Performance Series information. This year’s performance will be under the direction of conductor Jason Seber, who is currently the conductor for the Kansas City Symphony. The series also states, “Though much of the students' time is focused on performance preparation, the week also allows students to experience the best of the sights and the performance arts in New York City.” Kitana and her peers, between arduous rehearsal sessions, will experience NYC in various ways such as visiting the One World Trade Center, a Broadway show, Times Square, Central Park, and many other sites.
This event is a prestigious honor that will introduce participants to other students from all over the United States and the world: students will be able to interact with others of differing cultural backgrounds, share their culture with others, and broaden their own scope of cultural knowledge and experience. In order to participate in this event, students must pay their own way to NYC; the cost of this prestigious program is steep, nearing $2,000, this cost does not include transportation to and from New York nor does it include the cost of Kitana's parent to accompany her. Any donations to help an incredible young lady represent our community in New York City are greatly appreciated. If you are interested in sponsoring Kitana Queen and helping her achieve her dream of attending this program and participating in a once in a lifetime opportunity, please contact Andrews High School or consider donating here.
The boom of the bass: an instantly identifiable sound felt in one’s bones and soul. During any given Friday night during football season at Hugh Hamilton Stadium, one can feel the energizing waves rolling off the bass guitar as the renowned Marching Wildcats gear up for their impeccable halftime show. The person responsible for the magic of the bass? Kitana Queen.
The AHS Marching Band, widely and fondly known as the “Pride of the Valley,” have celebrated many superior ratings over the years at competitions, with the most recent being this fall, where they truly shone as Pride of the Valley and captured Grand Champion for 1 and 2A schools not once, but twice. Along with Grand Champion, the Marching Wildcats also secured 1st place awards for percussion, visual, color guard, and overall elements. Riding the wave of their most recent victories, the members of the marching band received another, much anticipated bit of good news on Halloween, when their very own Kitana Queen was chosen to represent them in the globally renowned High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
For the past 7 years Kitana Queen, now an Andrews High School senior, has been a part of Marching and Jazz bands under the direction of Joslyn Parker-Booth. She exhibited a talent for her chosen instrument early on and has always worked hard to put forth her best performance each time she stepped on a field or stage. During her time as a member of the Andrews High School Band, Kitana is an integral part of the success of the group. During her high school career she has pushed herself to work with her peers through collaboration to take the band to new heights, and she is well-liked and respected by her peers in and out of band. As a senior, Kitana has taken on even more of a leadership role by mentoring middle school band students in marching band, which ensures the high standards and expectations of the Marching Wildcats are passed on to those working to become part of the renowned band.
Band director Joslyn Parker-Booth cannot speak highly enough of Kitana: “She has been in every ensemble we have offered: concert, marching, jazz, and percussion ensemble.” Kitana was invited to audition for the performance series, which entailed her working and practicing with Mrs. Parker-Booth after school for 5 hours per week for a solid two months, learning an etude provided by the Selection Board, and learning a technique entirely new to her in order to submit a recording to the Selection Board for review. Mrs. Parker-Booth notes the level of dedication shown by her student in that “Kitana [had to] learn the string bass and bowing techniques, [an entirely new instrument, essentially] in order to audition when she is accustomed to an electric bass.” This level of commitment on part of Kitana is evidence that this once in a lifetime opportunity and honor is being bestowed on an outstanding and deserving young woman.
Andrews High School principal, Dr. Lisa Fletcher, was thrilled to receive the news of Kitana’s acceptance to the Performance Series. “When Mrs. Parker-Booth called and told me the news I was jumping up and down in my office and immediately went to congratulate Kitana in person. She is an outstanding young lady that has stepped up as a leader, has outstanding character, always keeps us laughing, and is a valuable part of our school community. We are so proud of her!” While Andrews High School had 4 choral students attend the Performance series in 2010 under the direction of Kim Cozart, Kitana is the first and only AHS band student to ever be invited to and selected as part of the Carnegie Honors Performance Series. “I can’t put into words how excited I am to be able to do this” Queen says, “I am honored to be able to have the chance to represent the AHS band and school at such a huge performance. I am so thankful to Mrs. Parker-Booth for putting up with me all these years, for always going above and beyond what is required of her and working with me, pushing me to be my best and challenge myself, and above all for always believing in me.” Kitana will continue her after school practice sessions with Mrs. Parker-Booth to master the music sent to her by the Performance Series and prepare for the event.
The event, taking place February 01-05, 2018, will be held in New York City, and is an event in which “Selected musicians rehearse and perform under master conductors and have the opportunity to meet other like-minded musicians from around the world,” according to the Performance Series information. This year’s performance will be under the direction of conductor Jason Seber, who is currently the conductor for the Kansas City Symphony. The series also states, “Though much of the students' time is focused on performance preparation, the week also allows students to experience the best of the sights and the performance arts in New York City.” Kitana and her peers, between arduous rehearsal sessions, will experience NYC in various ways such as visiting the One World Trade Center, a Broadway show, Times Square, Central Park, and many other sites.
This event is a prestigious honor that will introduce participants to other students from all over the United States and the world: students will be able to interact with others of differing cultural backgrounds, share their culture with others, and broaden their own scope of cultural knowledge and experience. In order to participate in this event, students must pay their own way to NYC; the cost of this prestigious program is steep, nearing $2,000, this cost does not include transportation to and from New York nor does it include the cost of Kitana's parent to accompany her. Any donations to help an incredible young lady represent our community in New York City are greatly appreciated. If you are interested in sponsoring Kitana Queen and helping her achieve her dream of attending this program and participating in a once in a lifetime opportunity, please contact Andrews High School or consider donating here.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa Fletcher
Organizer
Andrews, NC
Cindy Gibson
Beneficiary
