The faculty and staff of the YPAS Band Department know that music has the power to nurture, console, replenish, and inspire the spirit - all while affirming our humanity. It is our conviction that music education is a basic and necessary component of a well-balanced educational program.
All students who are admitted to duPont Manual High School, no matter their major (MST, HSU, CMA, or VA) are eligible to audition to participate in the YPAS Band Program. After receiving notice of your admission to Manual, simply contact Mr. Essig at the email address below to schedule an audition.
Curtis.essig@jefferson.kyschools.us
All students who are admitted to duPont Manual High School, no matter their major (MST, HSU, CMA, or VA) are eligible to audition to participate in the YPAS Band Program. After receiving notice of your admission to Manual, simply contact Mr. Essig at the email address below to schedule an audition.
Curtis.essig@jefferson.kyschools.us
Faculty and Staff |
Course Offerings |
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Mr. Curtis Essig, Director of Bands
Mr. Essig has been a faculty member at the Youth Performing Arts School since 1993. Mr. Jason Gregory, Assistant Director of Bands Mr. Gregory joined the YPAS faculty in 2008. Sectional Staff Mr. Don Gottlieb, Flute Specialist Mr. Trevor Johnson, Oboe Specialist Mrs. Angela Soren, Clarinet Specialist Mr. Ron Jones, Saxophone Specialist Mrs. Jackie Royce, Bassoon Specialist Dr. Jim Recktenwald, Trumpet Specialist Mr. John Little, Horn Specialist Mr. Bob Spiegelhalter, Trombone Specialist Mr. Chris Schmidt, Tuba / Euphonium Specialist Private Teachers FLUTE Don Gottlieb, Kathy Karr, Charlotte Roth, Kim Spaulding OBOE Doug Harville, Trevor Johnson, Jennifer Potochnic CLARINET Brandon Bell, Amanda McGehee, Marilyn Nije, Carrie Ravenstem, Angela Soren, Walter Yee BASSOON Roger Soren, Jackie Royce SAXOPHONE Cory Barnfield, Brandon Bell, David Clark, Adam McCord, Ron Jones, Derek Siebert TRUMPET Melanie Dillman, Ryan Nottingham, Jim Recktenwald, Stacy Simpson, Craig Twedell FRENCH HORN Steve Causey, Colin Dorman, Diana Morgen TROMBONE Stasi Fafalios, Brian Heath, Chad O'Brian, Bob Spiegelhalter EUPHONIUM Chris Schmidt TUBA Chris Schmidt, John Jones PERCUSSION Greg Byrne, Cole Gregory, Michael Lanius, Michelle Lewis, Jeremy McMonigle, Neil Rao, Mark Tate Piano Accompanist and Solo Performance Coach Debbie Dierks |
Wind Ensemble
Symphonic Band Percussion Ensemble Chamber Ensemble Intermediate Band Jazz Ensemble Jazz Improvisation Music Theory I Music Theory AP Pit Orchestra Student AchievementsALL-COUNTY ENSEMBLES 2019-2020
Total Placements = 132 Full Orchestra Winds, Brass and Percussion = 19 Wind Ensemble = 54 Symphonic Band = 35 Percussion Ensembles = 14 Jazz Ensemble = 10 ALL-STATE ENSEMBLES 2020 Total Placements = 44 Full Orchestra Winds, Brass and Percussion = 8 Symphonic Band = 10 Concert Band = 14 Percussion Ensemble = 4 Jazz Ensemble One = 5 Jazz Ensemble Two = 3 LOUISVILLE YOUTH ORCHESTRA 2019-2020 Total Placements = 19 Symphony Orchestra Winds, Brass and Percussion = 14 Repertory Orchestra Winds, Brass and Percussion = 5 |
ADDITIONAL STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Anetta Kendall and Josh Polion with Doc Severinsen (top) and Ronald Romm (bottom) - 2019
Alison Addie - Winner of the Louisville Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition 2018
Alison Addie - Winner of the Jack Kent Cooke Award through her audition for and appearance on NPRs nationally syndicated radio show From the Top
Jiwon Jung - Winner of the Louisville Youth Repertory Orchestra Concerto Competition 2018
Nicholas Recktenwald - 2nd place overall in the National Trumpet Competition held in Dallas, Texas 2018
Nicholas Recktenwald - Named the 2018 Gheens Foundation Young Artist