A Jefferson City High School senior recently accomplished a feat never before seen by band director Brett Myers.
Max Mollenkamp auditioned for and was eligible to perform in all four band ensembles for the all-state concert Jan. 30 in Osage Beach. It will be his fourth time performing at the all-state concert, which reaps auditions from students across every corner of the state.
Only a handful of students have performed at the state concert all four years of high school, and Myers said he'll likely never have another student accepted into all four ensembles again.
Auditions for the jazz, orchestra band and choir ensembles begin on a district level then move up a second tier to the state auditions, Mollenkamp said.
"I was pretty enthused," Mollenkamp said, upon receiving news that he'd made it into all four ensembles. "I didn't expect to get into all-state jazz or choir, so that was a surprise. I've been aiming for jazz all four years, so I'm really excited."
Mollenkamp said music is part of his family history. His parents met in band, and his sister plays the trumpet.
When the time came to pick an instrument in fourth grade, he went for the trombone and said it has worked out really well for him so far. He has been involved with choir since middle school and is currently a bass singer.
For Mollenkamp's final all-state performance, he'll be playing in the jazz ensemble. Only four trombone players are selected for the ensemble, so it's an honor he was chosen to be one of them, he said.
He's been practicing the sheet music since December, and all the students will get together for rehearsal for three days.
"I'm feeling a little nervous; I shouldn't be, I guess, because they picked me," Mollenkamp said. "If I have to do a solo, that makes me nervous, but I'm excited for the opportunity."
Myers, his band instructor, said Mollenkamp has always been a steady, dependable student.
"For me, he's just one of the students where I hope I can educate him because he's at a higher level," Myers said. "I believe I've taught him something. He's just so talented."
Mollenkamp is also involved in the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, Chorale, the high school choir, jazz band and the high school musical, "The Addams Family."
He said after he graduates he'd like to attend the University of North Texas or the University of Indiana, as both have excellent music programs.