The coming of the New Year for most students might mean anything from a New Year’s resolution, to a change in classes, to spring sports playoffs. For senior Luke Simons, however, it means the coming of district and regional band competitions and festivals, with his sights set on the all-state band festival.

While some people may be natural athletes, Simons is a natural musician. He excels in everything from his clarinet skills all the way to his tenor voice. In his eighth year playing the clarinet, Simons is making his second push towards being selected for the PMEA All-State Band Festival. Last year Simons was selected as a junior and became the first Southern Lehigh All- State Band selection since 2010.

The process started back in December when Simons went to audition at Parkland High School for a spot in the District 10 Band Festival, competing against anywhere from 100 to 150 fellow clarinetists to earn one of the few coveted spots in district band, placing third.

“It’s an honor [to represent the school],” Simons said. “I wish there were more people coming honestly. We had a good turnout to audition.”  

While at the district band festival, another audition is held in which the contestants are required to memorize a whole new piece of music to perform for the judges. Simons impressed the judges to the point where he earned the spot of principal first clarinet at districts and qualified for Region Band.  He will attend the Region Band Festival at Twin Valley High School from February 24 to 26.

Preparation for these festivals is an affair that continues throughout the festival season. Each festival requires different music.

“Doing it again and again it makes me feel more comfortable for the audition,” Simons said.

Pieces of music need to be practiced countless times in order to get the perfect sound. By the time the musicians arrive at the festival, they are expected to have memorized the piece and then from there only have a short amount of time to prepare with the rest of the band for a hefty performance.

“Music is my life, so it’s really an honor to get in [region band] and keep going with the process,” Simons said.

He is proud to represent Southern Lehigh for the second consecutive year and aspires to make states yet again to close out his high school music career.

Simons has aspirations that go further than high school band. Throughout February and March, Simons is auditioning for colleges in order to be accepted as a music performance major. The long list of schools include highly recognizable names in the music industry such as the Julliard School and the Mannes School of Music, both in New York City.