News

All County Band Auditions

Abbigail Frail

November 11, 2025

Beginning Band, conducted by Mrs. Autrey, works on one of their very first songs. They just learned to play, and although they won’t be auditioning for All-County this year, they are gathering the skills they will need for next year. They are learning essential scales and important skills that they will definitely need.

Auditions are always nerve-racking, and this year our band students are preparing for All-County Band auditions where students from all over Seminole County will be competing for a spot. Talented musicians have been practicing for weeks to try and get a spot on The All County Band. Do our LCMS musicians feel overwhelmed, excited, confident? We asked a few of them to find out.

Laine Dodge (8) plays French Horn in the LCMS Symphonic Band. The French Horn section leader says he is confident for his audition this year and thinks he will make the band. He has been practicing everyday for weeks and so he’s very prepared. Laine is looking forward to the event.

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Grace Kuperman, the LCMS Band Director, says her #1 tip is to “Play in front of other people. Practice getting nervous.” When they go to audition, the musicians will definitely be nervous, so it is essential to practice when their heart rate is up to practice getting that anxious feeling. Will any of our LCMS musicians make the All County Band? Hopefully they represent our school and do well on November 12th.

Roxy Swoape (8) is auditioning for the ACB (All-County Band) on Clarinet. She also made the band last year. The All-County Band learns, practices, and performs pieces of music all on the same day to show their skill. After sight-reading the music, they practice for several hours on the day of the performance.

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About the Contributors

Abbigail Frail, Staff reporter

Abby Frail is in seventh grade at LCMS. She loves band, drawing, music, and travel. She is looking forward to being part of the Panther Press team as well as working on the 2026 LCMS Yearbook.

Brayton Bond, Photographer

My name is Brayton Bond, I’m a new photographer for the 2025-2026 yearbook! Some fun facts about me is that I love the Jurassic park series, I’m a avigeek, (basically I’m a plane nerd) and I have two dash hounds named Minnie and Aurora. In my spare time I play videogames, read books, (my favorite ones are Foxtrot, Calvin and Hobbes, and Jurassic Park by Michell Creighton) and draw goobers. Some of my favorite Tv shows and movies are Invincible, Jurassic Park (all of them), and squid game!