REDBIRDS "SUPERIOR" AT MUSIC

"Rome wasn't built in a day", "It takes a long time to turn a ship", you name the cliche and Winston Band Director Zach Keller had heard it.  In the Fall of 2013 he took over a music program that had not received a "1" rating at State since 1994.  The last three years have been a labor of love for both he and his students.  The focus for both director and students was to make Winston synonymous with excellence in music.  The Winston band is young (21 of its 24 members are sophomores or younger) but talented.  The students have bought into the program, worked hard, and this year they have began to see the fruits of their labors.

Taylor Smith

The accolades began rolling in on April 2nd when Sophomore Taylor Smith earned a "1" rating for her flute solo.  Ms. Smith will now represent Winston High School at the State Solo and Ensemble Contest April 28th and 29th where she will undoubtedly make us proud.  The students were excited about the recognition that a member of their band had received but they had their eyes on a bigger prize.  On April 7th the band traveled to Maryville to the campus of Northwest Missouri State University to compete in the MSHSAA Northwest Music Festival.  This is the highest level of competition for bands in the state.  The Winston band had been steadily building towards this contest all year.  Our band students did not dissapoint.  The hardwork that everyone had been putting in over the last several years all paid off as the Winston band earned a "Superior 1" rating for the first time in 22 years.  Congratulations to Mr. Keller and all of his band students.  They represented our school at the highest level and they are a big reason why: It is a Great Day to be a Redbird!