Seneca East students perform as part of Ohio State Fair Band

ATTICA — Five Seneca East High School students spent part of their summer performing for crowds at the Ohio State Fair as members of the All-Ohio State Fair Band. Band director Tyler Schultz said students are selected based on their interest in participating, an interview and his recommendation. In total, there were roughly 80 schools represented in the band this year. The group's repertoire ranged from John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" to the swing hit "Zoot Suit Riot," arranged by Paul Murtha. "This speaks to the strength of Seneca East as we are having more and more students who want to be involved in music, and specifically band," Schultz said. "Each year we are sending more not only to AOSFB but also to Solo and Ensemble, honors bands, and high school days at various colleges and universities." Senior Andy Drosky said the experience was exciting, though nothing matched the feeling of being accepted for the first time. For him, meeting the other musicians was his favorite part. "It's impossible to leave the fair without making friends," he said. "The people there were very friendly and eager to have fun." Drosky said he plans to continue with music in college. Senior Parker Edwards said he was "very excited and surprised" to be selected. He enjoyed dorm life and spending time with new friends. Edwards hopes to continue music in college, whether in jazz, marching band or in a band of his own. Junior Vaughn Sauer returned for his second year with the band. He said he had fun learning new songs and walking around the fair. Sauer hopes to join a college marching band and eventually own his own instrument. Junior Kaden Danhoff said he enjoyed meeting students from other schools and hearing their stories. While unsure of his musical future, he plans to keep improving, he said. Sophomore Sienna Bour said the highlight for her was "getting to display my talent in front of hundreds of thousands of people at such a high level." Bour plans to major in music education at The Ohio State University and audition for the university's marching band.