Gardner-Webb Musicians Earn Spot in Elite N.C. Intercollegiate Band

Four Students Selected to Participate in 85-Member Ensemble at N.C. Music Educators Conference

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Four music majors from Gardner-Webb University joined 85 students from across North Carolina chosen to participate in the second biennial North Carolina Intercollegiate Band (NCIB). The group performed at the 2025 North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA) State Conference on Nov. 9-10 in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The students rehearsed with guest conductor, Dr. Nicholas Enrico Williams, director of Bands at the University of Georgia. They presented a concert featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein, Bruce Broughton, Florence Price, David Maslanka, and Ericka Svanoe.

Director of Gardner-Webb University Bands Dr. Sarah Fabian nominated the students to apply and audition for the honor. “These students stand out as exceptional musicians and dedicated members of our ensembles,” Fabian praised. “Chosen from many nominations and through outstanding auditions, they’ve earned their place among this distinguished group. Their talent, passion, and commitment to excellence make them shining examples of what it means to be both remarkable performers and inspiring leaders.”

Gardner-Webb’s National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Chapter was also recognized as a NCMEA Collegiate Chapter of Excellence. This award recognizes the chapter for their contributions to NAfME Collegiate, their college or university, and/or their community. Awards are based on individual chapter accomplishments rather than on competition between chapters.

The Gardner-Webb band students honored were:

• Junior Boakye, of Kings Mountain, N.C., trumpet, senior music education major and third-year band member.
• Anakin Booth, of Charlotte, N.C., tenor sax, freshman music education major and first-year band member.
• David Dixon, of Goose Creek, S.C., trumpet, sophomore music education major and second-year band member.
• Isaiah Vargas, of Forest City, N.C., trombone, freshman double major in music education and composition, fifth-year band member.

A trumpeter for 10 years, Boakye was also selected for the first NCIB in 2023. He is grateful to be chosen for the second time to play in the high-level ensemble and connect with some of the musicians he met before. “The audition process consisted of hours of me practicing and listening to the excerpts,” he described. “Then, when I was ready, I went around all of campus to find the best recording space.”

Boakye was honored and excited to represent Gardner-Webb and play in an ensemble filled with highly-skilled performers. “This experience helped me grow as a musician and inspired me to keep pushing to get better so I can be involved in more opportunities like these, and so that I am well equipped to teach with the knowledge and experience I have gained from these opportunities,” he observed.

Vargas, who has played with Gardner-Webb ensembles as a community member for five years, started playing trombone six years ago. Although the NCIB audition was intimidating, he stayed calm and thought of his video as just another rehearsal. “I am incredibly excited and honored to have been selected to perform with such a prestigious ensemble,” he stated. “The experience was amazing—being around other talented collegiate musicians and being able to experience the joy of making music with them was awesome. It really hit home when the guest clinician told us to really take it all in, as there will never be a point where the same musicians will be under the same roof for this kind of ensemble again. I spent a lot of time getting to know the people around me and sharing stories about our experiences with music.”

The first instrument Vargas learned to play was the euphonium. He wanted to try trombone to increase his versatility and knowledge of brass instruments. “Picking up trombone has led me to several opportunities unique to trombone players, such as solos, being in jazz band, and even performing in a trombone octet for my last year in marching drum corps,” he explained. “I love the unique tone and color of the trombone, and how flexible it can be in any ensemble, be it orchestral, marching band, or jazz oriented.”

Booth has played tenor saxophone for seven years and chose the instrument because he wanted to play jazz. Besides being thankful to perform with the elite group, Booth appreciated the chance to meet other musicians and future educators. “I liked playing and making music with other people that have the same mindset about music as I do,” he added. “The Honor Band was amazing. I learned a lot and was able to meet some very influential people during this opportunity.”

Dixon also expressed his excitement about being chosen to participate and to meet and perform with other dedicated musicians. At the conference, he participated in a jam session with trumpeter Justin Ray, who had previously played with five-time Grammy-winner Michael Bublé. “It was an experience unlike any other,” Dixon asserted. “The honor band was a blast to be a part of, and I feel pure wonder about the entire event.”

A trumpet player for 13 years, Dixon picked up the instrument because his grandfather used to play. “I like the virtuosic nature of the trumpet,” he described. “When I am in the band, I feel free when we get to play wonderful melodies or beautiful harmonies.”

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at gardner-webb.edu.