Pair of West Deptford Musicians Are All-South Jersey

When the All-South Jersey high school honors band takes the stage at Pfleeger Concert Hall at Rowan University today, it’ll have a familiar feel, as two senior musicians will perform as part of the 2012 version of the ensemble.

For Rebecca Crowther, it’s a return to the band after a long absence. She made the All-South Jersey band as a freshman year, and is now back as a flute and piccolo player as a senior.

“I think I appreciate it more now,” she said. “I’ve definitely grown up since my freshman year. You have this whole different outlook on everything, not just on your life–on music, on everything.”

Peter Bond, on the other hand, –he didn’t audition until a second call, and was one of two West Deptford tuba players who made the ensemble.

This year, he was determined to come back.

“I’ve been practicing the audition music a lot, because I have to play the same music to go to audition for college,” he said.

The audition process for the All-South Jersey band is grueling, combining scales, sight-reading and that all-important solo piece. This year, that ranged from Mozart sonatas to more modern compositions by composers like French composer Joseph Edouard Barat.

Crowther had the added challenge of performing on both flute and piccolo, while most of her fellow performers only have to worry about one instrument. While she’s played both for years, Crowther said it’s tough to say which she enjoys more.

“I like playing the piccolo, because there’s a lot more meat to the parts…but the flute is so pretty,” she said.

Both Crowther and Bond called their time getting prepared for the concert a learning experience, though for different reasons.

“Just interacting with people my age that appreciate music as much as I do is really interesting,” Crowther said.

Bond said being surrounded by great musicians and tough music lends itself to

“The music helps me become a better player,” he said.