During the Auten Road Intermediate School (ARIS) 6th grade honors and jazz band concert held on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, student percussionist Eka Tawe was presented with the Gary T. Smith Outstanding Musicianship Award. Tawe is one of 86 students in the 6th grade ARIS honors band and one of seven percussionists. Tawe was chosen to receive the award based not only on her musical talent, but also on her cooperative spirit when it comes to working with members of the percussion section and the entire honors band.
The Gary T. Smith Award was named after retired Hillsborough band director Gary T. Smith. Smith taught instrumental music in the district for 43 years. To honor his dedication to instrumental education in the district, an award is presented annually to a 6th grade honors band student that embodies his dedication to music, humble attitude, cooperative spirit, and overall outstanding musicianship.
Tawe not only plays percussion for the honors band, but regularly shares her musical talents with her church. She is a member of the Gold & Maroon Band and was selected to perform in the Central Jersey Music Educators Association (CJMEA) Honors Band. Tawe’s name will be placed on a plaque that will remain in the ARIS band room to honor her contributions to the band and her school.
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“Eka is supportive of her classmates and always lends a helping hand. She approaches a cymbal, bell, or tambourine part with the same passion and intensity of the drum-set,” said Mrs. Nancy Ciacciarelli, ARIS’s 6th grade band director.
Other ARIS students recognized as award nominees at the May 21 concert were George Hart (trumpet), Gabriella Diaz (flute), Andrew Rygiel (tuba), and Kaityln Dundorf (alto saxophone).
