Wednesday, May 30, 2007
By Doug Dezotell
Brandon Compton says that playing tuba in the Community High School band is his passion, and that passion has helped him to excel in his music. Compton was named first chair tuba player for the All-State Wind Band this spring.
"This is a high honor for Brandon," said Stephen Givens, Community band director. "And it's rare for a sophomore to become first chair. All-State Band is like an All-State sports team, it's the best of the best."
The All-State Wind Band is made up of the top high school musicians from all three divisions in the state: West Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and East Tennessee. Compton was chosen from a field of more than 150 tuba players who took part in the competition held in Nashville in April.
He was named to the Mid-State Band in January, where he played second chair. Then he auditioned for the All-State Band in April.
"The audition process involved playing music I chose and music that was selected for me," Compton said. "I came with a prepared piece that I played for the judges. I also had to play the scales, and then I was given 20 seconds to look at a new piece of music and then I had to play it for them. We waited until that evening for our scores to be tallied."
Compton was one of nine tuba players in the All-State Band which was made up of 123 high school musicians. The band played their concert at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, the first wind band to play there.
Compton, the son of Tony and Brenda Compton of Unionville, has been playing tuba for the last four years. He started with the euphonium in sixth grade, switched to the tuba in seventh grade, and has been playing tuba ever since.
"I'm not involved in any school activities other than band," Compton said. "The only thing I really like to do is play tuba. I'd like to play professionally in an orchestra someday."
Compton said he would like to get a doctorate in musicology, either at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music or Indiana State University, where he said they have some of the top tuba players in the country on their faculty.
Until that time comes, Compton plans on working hard to improve his tuba skills and help the Community band become even better.
"We have great musicianship here at Community," Compton said. "If Mr. Givens wasn't here we don't know what our band would be. He's opened a lot of doors for us."
Compton believes the Community High School band has come a long way over the last few years, and he knows he certainly has, all the way to All-State Wind Band.
The article credits Brandon's parents and band director. Who is his tuba instructor?
