Spencer Ames doesn’t brag about his musical talents.
“My mother always told me to be humble and kind,” the Allen Community College freshman said. “I don’t say much about my skills on the trombone. I just play and have fun.”
So when it came time to audition for the Kansas Intercollegiate Orchestra, Ames found enjoyment even in the challenge of playing Igor Stravinsky’s “The Firebird Suite.”
He spent more than a month practicing “Firebird,” one of two songs required for the audition. Ames submitted a recording of his work to be considered for the elite orchestra, which brings together the best college music students in Kansas for a one-night-only performance next week at the Kansas Music Educators Association conference.
“That was probably one of my least favorite songs,” he said. “Besides that bit of difficulty, it was a lot of fun having to audition with something I’d never dabbled with before.”
He didn’t expect he would earn a place in the orchestra.
“Even if you think you’re good, there’s always someone out there who is better,” he said.
But his hard work paid off. Not only was he selected for the orchestra, he’s in the second chair position.
“I was quite shocked, especially with how much I struggled with the audition,” Ames said.
ACC music director Jeffrey Anderson said it’s rare for community college students to be selected, as they compete against some of the best musicians studying at four-year universities.
Ames is one of only two community colleges selected for the orchestra. Last year, ACC’s Virgil Wight was selected for the Intercollegiate Band on the tenor saxophone. The state alternates between its band and orchestra performances every year.
“This is good recognition for the Allen Music Department because the concert will be seen at the conference by music educators from kindergarten through university, with Spencer’s name in the program,” Anderson said. “It is also good for Spencer because it will give him a chance to play with other top players in the state, and also play with a full orchestra. It will be a challenge to put the music together with only 1 1/2 days of rehearsal time, but that is part of the fun going into it. You never know what you are going to get, but in the end, the product is an awesome concert for an appreciative audience.”
AMES, who was raised by his grandparents Vera Shafer and John Sheehan, has been playing music since he was a child. He enjoyed orchestra concerts so much as a young boy that his grandmother signed him up for piano lessons.
In sixth grade, Ames took band class in school. He tried to play the tuba but found it too big, so he switched to the trombone. His grandparents insisted on purchasing a professional-grade trombone, rather than a student instrument.
Then came a hard lesson on the importance of taking care of your instrument. The trombone had to be refurbished, and a more mature Ames has learned a greater appreciation for maintaining the equipment.
He also works for ACC’s music department, filing sheet music and other responsibilities, having started as an intern while still at Iola High School. That experience helped him decide to attend ACC.
