Epiphany Youth Band Makes a Beautiful Sound

This article originally appeared in the January 2010 issue of The Epigram  

Dispelling Myths - Delighting Parishioners

by Charlene Kline

Forget any thoughts you might harbor about young adults, sitting around with nothing to do. The kids in the Epiphany Youth Band pack a peck of practice and performance into their busy weeks. The members, ranging from 11 years to senior high school, rehearse two hours a week with director Barrett Wilson at Epiphany. This rehearsal must alternate from Tuesdays to Wednesdays because of jam-packed schedules and the fact that the young participants attend a variety of schools across the county.

The members, numbering about twenty, play a variety of instruments, ranging from conga drums to cellos, violins, saxophones, French horns, flutes, and more. Barrett writes the arrangements for each instrument and new works are always in the wings. Some members of Epiphany youth band are also involved in the Louisville Youth Orchestra. Some play with their high school bands, marching and concert. Many work; most continue their music education. Aside from all these activities, there is always homework to be tackled.

The young musicians perform almost every weekend year round, on rotation at one of the three weekend liturgies. And there is practice in the hour prior to liturgy. Some are also part of the regular adult ensemble so they may be participating in more than one liturgy a week.

In appreciation, some parishioners have made unsolicited donations to EYB, the Epiphany Youth Band—as the young musicians like to call it. This has enabled the group to purchase needed microphones and a sound mixer. As an added bonus, there have even been opportunities for some partying – special rewards for hard-working, busy and talented young musicians!