Carrie Townley is a modest girl who doesn’t like to toot her own horn ? unless she’s performing.
But the Oxford High School junior and member of the Symphonic Band is entitled to some bragging rights given she was invited to participate in the prestigious Michigan Youth Arts Festival May 13-15.
‘It’s an honor for me and the school,? said Townley, daughter of Timothy and Margery Townley. ‘It’s pretty cool.?
Townley and her French Horn are off to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, along with 999 other students from around the state, who represent the ‘finest artistic talent? in Michigan high schools.
The festival is the culmination of a nine-month search, involving more than 60,000 Michigan high school students, to find what OHS Band Director James Gibbons deemed ‘the elite of the elite.?
At the festival, Townley, who’s been playing the French Horn since sixth grade, will participate in the ‘Honors Band? and share her talent with her peers and the public through performances.
‘Any experience where you get to play is good,? said Townley, especially when its with many ‘different? and ‘good? musicians.
Each participant will also have the opportunity to attend clinics, master classes and workshops in his or her own discipline. Dance, theater, instrumental and vocal music, visual arts, creative writing and film/video are included in the three-day event.
Based on his six years experience in the school district and knowledge of the nine years prior, Gibbons surmised that ‘as far back as we know,? Townley is the first OHS student to be invited to the festival. ‘My guess is she’s the first,? he said.
Considering the festival only chooses ‘one or two students from (each of) the top band programs in the state,? Gibbons said Townley’s invitation speaks ‘very well? of both her and the school’s band program.
‘It’s nice to be represented among the best musicians,? Gibbons said. ‘It will be a great experience for Carrie.?
When asked what kind of student Townley is, Gibbons replied, ‘The best.?
‘She’s an excellent, excellent student. A great musician,? he said citing her ‘hard work, responsibility and drive? as the keys to her success.