Trombonist Slides into All-State Band

For the second year in a row, Saratoga High School (SMHS) junior Bennett Keel has been accepted into the All-State Concert Band. He is the only student from Carbon County to play in the band.

To be considered, Keel was required to send an audition recording of his trombone playing by October 28, 2024.

Keel says he did not try out for the bank his freshman year, because he was a little overwhelmed with the complexity of the music for the audition. Keel said one of the best trombonists he knew had tried out all four years and was accepted twice, so Keel felt he didn't have a chance. Last year, he discovered he had underestimated himself.

One of his mentors was Jensen Mills, a recent graduate of SMHS. “He made the trombone look cool,” Keel said. He also said he owes his teacher, Gregory Paulson, and the music program, at SMHS “not everything”.

He described his experience last year as interesting. Keel, along with Saratoga/Middle High School band teacher and Saratoga Elementary School music teacher Ivy Palmer took a school suburban to Natrona County School in Casper for the concert. This year, the concert will be held at the Cheyenne Civic Center in Cheyenne on January 21 at 7 p.m.

The band meets at Cheyenne South Central High School January 19-21 to mingle instead and practice for the upcoming concert. Keel said it includes activity nights so the band members can get to know each other.

The band first met competing for the chair in each section. It was the first time he had heard any of the other trombonists play. He said it was reassuring to him to see the skill level of the other trombonists and to find they had some of the same struggles he did. Because of the small size of SMHS, he did not have a lot of other trombonists to compare himself to in band, but at all-state, he found they were the same skill level and he liked being able to play with other trombonists who were like him. After last year’s experience, Keel said he is very excited for this year.

Keel said the music for the audition was more complex than what he is used to playing in the SMHS band, but less complex than a symphony or orchestra. He practiced daily until the audition.

Last year, he played 3rd chair in second trombone. In this band, there are 15 trombonists and 5 chairs in each section. This year, he hopes to move up to a higher chair.

Keel said that hearing the 15 trombones together was amazing. He referred to a quote that a composer came up with - the trombone is the voice of God - it has been attributed to Beethoven and other composers according to http://www.thefactsite.com/trombone-facts/. It is called that because of its perfect tone according to the website.

Keel said he is not sure it is the voice of God, but the sound of the trombone with other trombones is very powerful and strong. “ It is a really unique experience, it is something I have not felt outside of band,” Keel said.

Besides playing in the band, Keel competes on the Speech and Debate team, plays bass and piano, is in the Jazz Bank, is a member of FBLA and is the secretary for the student council.

Keel has been playing the trombone since he was in the sixth grade.