By Julie Clark - Sports editor
On Oct. 24 two Centerville High School seniors were recognized as all-state performers for their musical talents.
This accomplishment didn't come easy. Both have put in years of training and spend a lot of their free time practicing to be perfect.
Rachel Eddy started playing alto saxophone in fifth grade, but within a year had switched to the tenor sax. "I always loved the tenor. It is much deeper sounding instrument," said Eddy. Eddy enjoys band and playing her instrument. "It is a challenge for myself and is great for self discipline. Only you know how you're improving and it is great when you accomplish your goals," said Eddy. Eddy practiced with her classmates in fifth grade, but also began taking private lessons and has been taking lessons for seven years now. "I spend at least seven hours a week practicing," said Eddy.
During the South Central district competition Eddy played two songs and one solo. The two etudes were pre-selected out of a selected studies book and the solo she chose was titled, "Contest Et Caprice." This selection by Eddy wasn’t chosen lightly. She has been working on the piece for the past two years. "It is a challenging piece and was a few levels above where I thought I was. It was a goal for myself to perform the piece well," said Eddy.
This year was special for Eddy as she had been a first alternate the past three years, being beat by the same girl each year. This was her year and she beat the girl from Valley.
"Our district is tough. We compete against a lot of Des Moines kids," said Eddy.
After being selected to the all-state band Eddy will now have the opportunity to perform with the other five that were selected in Ames on Nov. 21. She will go three days ahead of time to practice with the other members of the all-state band and they will perform a concert that will consist of a folder of music that is more challenging then the average high school band music.
Eddy performs two or three times a year and plays a lot during Christmas. She is also a member of her church’s band at First United Methodist Church in Centerville. "Amazing Grace" is her favorite piece to play.
Eddy is a member of the marching band, honor band section leader, pep band, jazz band, color guard, cheerleading and student council. After graduation in the spring she is planning to attend the University of Iowa and major in communication sciences and disorders. With this she plans to be a speech pathologist. Eddy is also toying with the option of minoring in music and playing in the UofI band.
Roman Royer also achieved all-state honors in chorus. Royer has been raised with music and singing just came naturally to him. His mom inspired him to sing. "My mom always sang and I was always around people who were singing," said Royer.
Royer started singing in church in third grade and has taken private lessons for years, most recently with Michael Phillipson in Ottumwa.
This is Royers' second year as an all-state selection for singing.
Before the contest the kids are given sheet music from seven songs that they will be singing from so that they are familiar with the music. "We have the music ahead of time, but don't know what measure of the song I will sing," said Royer.
With around 500 students competing, less than 100 are chosen.
His musical talents aren't limited to singing. He started playing the piano in first grade and plays the trumpet and bass guitar in jazz band along with the french horn in concert band.
Royer will be one of the lead roles in this weekend’s high school musical, “Brigadoon,” which is a romantic comedy. He will be playing the role of Tommy Albright, singing solos and a duet with Kaitlyn Daniels. This will be his seventh high school performance.
Royer has certain things he likes about the music that he plays. When playing the piano he is able to express himself and it is always challenging. The trumpet and bass guitar are more up-beat instruments with jazz band and playing in concert band is just fun because he gets to perform with other musicians. His favorite song to sing right now is "Don't Stop Believing," which he sang earlier this year in an octet with others from school. He also liked performing with a group of guys in a double quartet that song "Kate" for the solo and ensemble competition.
Also in school Royer is active in student council and National Honor Society.
After graduation in the spring he is planning to attend Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa for a year, before transferring to Iowa State or AIB and majoring in business and accounting.
Centerville High School also had two band members selected as first alternates. They were Adam Steinbach and Shelbey Kanselaar.
