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Student & Faculty Accomplishments

December 2024 Student Highlights

Congratulations to the following DUCSOM students for their recent accomplishments!

Cynthia Giunta Piano Studio:

Charles Oneal (Opus Honor Choir) - Selected from the Des Moines metro to perform with The King's Singers.

John Morgan Saxophone Studio:

Toby Chen - Selected as the tenor saxophone first chair for the Iowa All-State Concert Band.
Ben Buelow & Sajiv Kolli - Selected for the middle school SCIBA Honor Bands.

Iowa All-State 2024

Congratulations to the following DUCSOM students who auditioned and were selected for Iowa's All-State 2024!

Dr. Dana Sloter Clarinet Studio:

Brynn Fuller, contrabass clarinet (Southeast Polk High School)
Camryn Johnson, clarinet (Ankeny Centennial High School)
Marissa Pewe, clarinet (Johnston High School)

Cynthia Giunta Piano Studio:

9th grade piano student: Summer Kinnan, flute (Valley Southwoods Freshman High School)

From DUCSOM student to Drake University student!

We are thrilled to announce DUCSOM student Ruby Hummel, from Panora High School, has signed her letter of intent to attend Drake University as a music major. She is entering as a clarinet major and piano minor. She will begin classes in fall 2021. Welcome to Drake!

Ruby Hummel signing

Pictured in back: James Romain, Music Department Chair; Cynthia Giunta, Director of DUCSOM; Clarence Padilla, clarinet professor

Pictured in front: Ruby Hammel and her proud parents

Congratulations to the following students for their successes!

Eleanor Burton participated in the Victor Borge piano festival at the Salisbury House on Feb. 26^th and received a superior rating. (from Kathy Gedler studio)

Miles Huston and Emerson Palmer, saxophone, both received 2^nd place overall in the 9^th/10^th grade division at the Perry Band Olympics. (from John Morgan Studio)

Camryn Johnson was named one of the top five clarinet soloists in her center at Perry Band Olympics. She is a freshman. (from Dana Sloter Studio)

Student Spotlight:

Bryson Kinnan performed his high school senior recital on March 29^th, 2023. He opened the program on piano with the Brahms Rhapsody, Op. 79. He wrote two pieces of his own. One for piano, titled “Soar” and one for Brass Quintet titled "Fall of a Hero." After performing 2 Tuba Solos, he concluded the program on piano with Stars and Stripes, arranged by the famous Vladimir Horowitz. Congratulations Bryson on an outstanding senior recital! (Bryson studies Tuba with Michael Short and piano with Cynthia Giunta)