Bands Present ‘The Sounds of The Season’

McKENZIE (December 18) — McKenzie band members performed their annual “The Sounds of the Season” Christmas concert Thursday evening in the McKenzie High School gymnasium. Daniel Capua, second-year director of bands at the McKenzie Special School District, conducted the band members in different holiday arrangements, displaying the budding musicians’ growing talent and hard work over the past semester.

This year, the concert included performances by the middle school’s sixth grade beginning band, the seventh and eighth grade intermediate band and the high school concert band and color guard.

The home bleachers were full of proud families and supporters excited to see the fruits of the young musicians’ labor.

The holiday concert began with two musical arrangements by the McKenzie Middle School sixth-grade beginner band. The 23 musicians, despite only playing for three months, wowed the audience with their performances of “Hot Cross Buns” and “Jingle Bells.”

Capua combined the seventh- and eighth-grade intermediate bands next, giving the young musicians the experience of playing in a larger band.

“It’s good for the seventh graders to hear the eighth graders and see who their leaders are going to be when they move forward in the program,” said Capua.

These band members have been busy practicing music this year, learning pep songs under music teacher Veda Haney’s instruction. Earlier in the day, the middle school pep band performed at a Bethel University basketball game.

Before leading the band, Capua also took time to recognize tenor saxophone player Finn Evans for making the All West Tennessee Honor Band.

The seventh- and eighth-grade band had a total of 32 musicians. Together, they performed “Christmas Lullaby.”

Next, Capua introduced the McKenzie High School brass quintet, who would perform “The Chipmunk Song.”

Capua singled out the quintet as a way of helping them become more independent in their parts. He recognized the students for preparing the performance with little guidance.

The quintet consisted of trumpet players Lola Barton and Miley Pruitt, euphonium players Dylan Bomar and Ozzy Lessenberry, and tuba player Brycen Galicia. Percussionist Connor Summers accompanied the brass players.

Capua then introduced the McKenzie High School concert band, which consisted of 22 members. He bragged on many of the musicians for their accomplishments in the recent year.

Several high school students earned spots on the All West Tennessee Honor Band. Trumpeter Lola Barton placed seventh chair Blue Band in eleventh and twelfth grade, euphonium player Dylan Bomar placed sixth chair Blue Band in the eleventh and twelfth grade and clarinet player Janyla Piro placed second chair Red Band in the ninth and tenth grade group.

Additionally, flutist Kaylee Dalzell, clarinet player Janyla Piro, saxophonist Sebastian Sass, euphonium player Dylan Bomar, trumpeter Lola Barton and trumpeter Miley Pruitt earned spots on the University of Tennessee at Martin Honor Band. Ozzie Lessenberry was an alternate on the euphonium.

The McKenzie High School Marching Rebels and color guard also finished fourth place in the Division I state competition in fall 2025 despite being the second smallest of 20 bands. The percussion section also placed second overall in the state.

“I’m really proud that I get to call myself the director of these kids,” said Capua. He thanked the parents and band booster officers, as well as the McKenzie Special School District administration, for their support.

The high school band performed “A Carmen Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells” and “Down Home Christmas.” Camden band director River Stoltz accompanied the band on the French horn.

The color guard also showed off their talents with an original routine, choreographed by senior color guard captain Kaelyn Stebbins, using a medley from “The Greatest Showman.”

In the final showing of the night, the high school concert band and color guard joined forces, under the direction of senior drum major Katelynn Essary, for a performance of “’Twas the Parade Before Christmas,” which they had performed in the City of McKenzie’s Christmas parade weeks prior.

The beginning band includes flutists Ariyana Edmonson, Bella Gatlin, Journey Riley and Peyton Swafford; clarinet players Alaya Divers and Hailey Umstead; alto saxophonists Katelyn Clark, Avacyn Latham and Paisley Morgan; French horn player Grayson Wilson; trumpeters Connor Bryant, Te’vaya Milton, Della Nevells, Zack Reeder, Dakota Staggs and Myla Starr; trombone players Cohen Martin and Easton Maxwell; and percussionists Skylar Bass, Samuel Berry, Ava Diller, Corde’ Robinson and Rumor Weatherford.

The intermediate band includes flutists Nevaeh Herris, Caitlin Umstead, Alice Gallimore, Brooke-Lynn Ruprich and Callie Sevick; clarinet players Katelyn Martin, Malcom Evans, Allie Ochoa and Kiya Priddy; alto saxophonists Lily Baker, Charles Scott and Genevieve Phipps; tenor saxophonist Finn Evans; trumpeters Riley Crafton, Zatiya Milton, Dawson Swafford, Annabelle Bobb, Miranda Hood and Fenix Walker; trombone players Daniel Carroll, Stefani Gooch and Cecil Lessenberry; euphonium player Xander Morgan; tuba player Aiden Blackwell; and percussionists Zach Fuller, Lantrell Gilbreath, Jason Crocker, Eli Davis, Syerra Horton, Leo Ochoa, Nathaniel Sweatt and Kaleb Williams.

The McKenzie High School concert band includes flutist Kaylee Dalzell; clarinet players Katelynn Essary and Janyla Piro; alto saxophonist Sebastian Sass; trumpeters Lola Barton and Miley Pruitt; euphonium players Dylan Bomar and Ozzy Lessenberry; tuba player Brycen Galicia; and percussionists Connor Summers, Caleb Burns, Meghan Cowan, Jonathan Jenkins and Connor Brock.

The color guard includes Kaelyn Stebbins, Chloe Garduno, Danie Parker, Jaylee Montgomery, Jordan Leslie, Molly Drewry, Caylee McClerkin and Breah Harris.