Two Honeoye Musicians Earn All-State Band Honors

If Owen Higgins has any questions about what his first Area All-State Band experience will be like, he can ask Alyssa Bailey. 

That’s because this is the second trip for Bailey and whether it’s the first trip or not, both Honeoye High students are excited for the upcoming opportunity. Area All-State band is a weekend of rehearsal capped by a performance with a band comprised of students in our eight-county region. Each member of the band auditioned for a seat and the highest-scoring auditions were named to the band.

This year’s event takes place on Nov. 15-16 at Newark High School.

Owens, a junior, is making his All-State debut with the euphonium and Bailey is back with her oboe. Owens has been playing his low brass instrument since making the switch from percussion after fourth grade. 

Bailey has been playing the oboe since sixth grade after starting with the clarinet. She initially hoped to switch to the English Horn but saw former Honeoye student Lydia Hall (Class of 2019) playing the oboe and decided that was the double-reed instrument for her.

“I knew it was difficult, but I was obsessed,” Bailey said with a laugh. “I’m the only (oboe) in the band but I like the range. I can play the high notes like a flute and then the lower notes too.”

Both students hope to continue their instruments after high school. Higgins wants to study music education in college and Bailey wants to find an orchestra. 

Until then, both are eager for their All-State experience and they’ll have plenty of support from Honeoye bandmates and classmates. According to Senior High Band Director Brian Wilkins, enrollment in senior high band at Honeoye is up by 12 students compared to last year and enrollment is up in band and chorus programs throughout the entire student body.

Congratulations to Owen and Alyssa for continuing the strong tradition of musical excellence at Honeoye!