By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Several members of the Thompson High School band recently were chosen to perform in one of the nation’s most prestigious honor band festivals.

The five THS students were among only 100 high school students chosen to perform in the 2013 Honor Band of America from March 14-16 in Indianapolis after they sent in audition recordings in 2012.

“This is 100 of the best high school band students in the world, and five of them were from Thompson,” said THS Director of Bands Jon Bubbett. “I am incredibly proud of them.”

Chosen to participate in the honor band were trumpet player Sam Ardovino, trombone players Alec Lee and Mytchell Walker, euphonium player Daniel Minley and tuba player Ashton Bowles.

During their visit to Indianapolis, the five students performed under Jerry Junkin, the professor of instrumental conducting and director of bands at the University of Texas’ Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music. The honor band’s concert also included Joseph Alessi, the principal trombone with the New York Philharmonic, as a guest soloist.