November 22, 2024
In the storied history of the Gilbert High School band department, senior Laurel Mizerak is one of one.
Already one of only four Gilbert individuals to ever earn four all-state honors, Laurel achieved history on Thursday when she also earned her fourth consecutive first chair nod on clarinet at the Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) All-State Music Festival in Ames.
This has never been done at Gilbert before. And GHS band director Byron Tinder says it hasn’t happened too many times, if ever, in state history.
“It doesn’t happen often, that’s for sure,” he said.
Each section of a band or orchestra is led by a principal player, commonly referred to as first chair. Some of the tasks of the first chair could include playing solos, signaling entrances and exits, and determining technical details like bowing or breathing.
Essentially, the first chair is the best of the best.
While Laurel is the only Gilbert musician to ever earn the first chair title four times, she’s not the only Tiger to reach the lofty status at the 2024 All-State Music Festival.
Two-time all-state member Tyler Anderson snagged the first chair on the bass trombone, and Lillian Dahlstrom earned the first chair on bari sax. Chloe Lee also earned the distinction on harp.
Gretchen Mizerak, Laurel’s twin sister and a four-time all-stater herself, earned third chair out of 78 competing musicians on clarinet.
“Our kids are among the best players in the state, and they work hard,” Tinder said. “They are prepared for an audition like it’s a performance, (and) I think people know that if they get a Gilbert band kid in an audition, they’re getting someone who is going to be prepared, take it seriously, and play really musically.”
Congratulations to all of our all-state musicians and Mr. Tinder on representing our school so well.
