Whiz Kids: Brent Windham and Andrew Singer

Oakdale Patch Whiz Kids of the Week: 11^th-grader Brent Windham, 17, and 12^th-grader Andrew Singer, 18

School:

Accomplishment: Windham and Singer competed against musicians from all over the Upper Midwest, and were selected to the University of Minnesota High School Honor Band.

Key to Awesomeness: At the end of January, following a day-and-a-half of intense practice, Brent Windham and Andrew Singer played among 90 of the Upper Midwest’s best young wind, brass and percussion instrumentalists after being selected to be part of the University of Minnesota High School Honor Band.

Windham, a euphonium player, said he enjoyed the experience of performing a concert after such a short, concentrated time of practice.

It wasn’t only the other band members' skill, but their ability to stay focused that impressed Windham and Singer, they said.

“When we weren’t supposed to talk, no one talked,” said Singer, a tuba player. “All the focus was on music.”

To get into the band, they had to submit recordings of themselves playing two pieces of music—one that demonstrated their technical abilities, and one that demonstrated their lyrical talents, they said.

Both teens said they plan to continue to play their instruments in college. Singer, who plans to major in chemical engineering at the University of Minnesota, said he plans to play in the marching band and other bands. Windham said he hasn’t decided where he’ll go to college yet, but he’s considering majoring in music and plans to continue to play in college and beyond.

Each week, Oakdale Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to patty.busse@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information: Nominator's Name, Nominator's E-Mail, Whiz Kid's Name, Whiz Kid's Age, Whiz Kid's School, Whiz Kid's Accomplishment, Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (what made him/her successful?) If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and assign a photographer to take a photo. For questions, e-mail patty.busse@patch.com.