Two Musicians Earn AHS Band Honors

At the 25th Annual Adrian High School Achievement Awards Night on May 17th, Director of Bands Dan Kesterke wrapped up the school year by presenting two student musicians with the band's highest honors.

Senior drummer Jordan Pelphrey received the Adrian Bandsman Award. It's given to the student who personifies the character of the Adrian High School Band: musicianship, work ethic, dependability, and positive peer influence. 

“Jordan's musical path focused on outside performances in the marching arts. He then brought his experiences back to the drumline,” said Kesterke.

Along with playing tenor drums in the AHS Marching Band, Jordan played bass drum with the Kalamazoo-based Legends Drum Corps last season. He was an IB music student, and will attend Siena Heights University in the fall of 2017 to study Music Education.  

Senior clarinetist Crosby Slupe received the John Philip Sousa Award. It's given in recognition of a superior musician with exemplary skill on his primary instrument, as well as leadership in his section and the band, and outside dedication to his craft. 

“Crosby has spent many hours on performance craft, composing, and music theory,” said Kesterke. “Through his efforts, he's shown the students in his section some of the more difficult clarinet techniques.“

In 2016, Crosby wrote and co-arranged a musical comedy called “Europe!” He also hired musicians and oversaw the recording of a few of the show's songs. In addition to performing with several AHS bands and The Balladiers, he's taught himself other instruments, and played gigs with small jazz combos and several pit orchestras for area theater productions. He recently wrote and performed an online album of original music called “The Extra-Philosophical E.P.”  

Mr. Kesterke said that “both students have been instrumental in the band's growth this season,” and that “the awards this year fit both candidates.”

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