Bentworth bassoonist earns all-state band honors after just a year of playing
Bentworth High School student Keegan Bonnet plays the bassoon during practice.
Bentworth High School student Keegan Bonnet plays the bassoon during practice.
In what has become a popular prom fundraiser at Bentworth High School – the Mr. Bentworth Pageant – junior Keegan Bonnet perhaps singlehandedly shredded the image of a classical bassoonist, as he dazzled the school-wide audience with an array of creative talents in November to win the title.
Named to the Pennsylvania All-State Band as a bassoonist and performing April 2 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Bonnet, in the school’s annual talent show open to all junior and senior boys, “went above and beyond in each area of the show,” Bentworth High School library media specialist and junior class sponsor Julianna Morrell noted.
Competing in four areas, Bonnet, in the talent portion of the program, arranged and performed “A Funeral March of a Marionette” – or more popularly and better known as the theme from “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.”
And n the swimwear portion – no, this was not the Miss or Mr. America Pageant – he dressed in basic beachwear, with props of swimming fish and fluttering wave-like flags, as he performed to “Under the Sea” with accompanying performers enhancing the performance.
But Bonnet’s coup de grace was his selection as fourth bassoon (out of six) for the all-state honors. What makes his achievement all the more remarkable is that Bonnet been playing the bassoon for only one year.
“Keegan is one of the most talented music students I’ve seen come through Bentworth High School during my 11 years at the school,” noted director of bands Brandon VanSickle. “His ability to perform well on a wide array of instruments, in addition to his work ethic to prepare for various festivals, makes him a special student. Keegan has made the most of opportunities presented to him by performing in a number of local groups in addition to the high school band. These experiences have undoubtedly helped give him the confidence to excel in the pressure environment of advancing through the (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) festivals.”
From the fifth through seventh grades, Bonnet tried his hand at several instruments, from the French horn to baritone to trombone, but last year picked up the bassoon because of an important musical part, he noted, and the rest is, ahem, history.
Once he started playing the bassoon – which generally plays the lowest part among woodwinds in an orchestra – private lessons were next. He auditioned for PMEA honors band at the beginning of this school year, and was selected as fourth bassoon. At district band, he was selected as second bassoon, then one of two bassoonists selected for regional band, and finally all-state honors.
“Since entering high school, Keegan has progressed musically by learning new instruments, including the trombone, tuba and euphonium in addition to the bassoon,” VanSickle added. “His sight reading, musicianship and ability to write and arrange music have all dramatically improved during this time.”
Bonnet’s all-state recognition represents the first such honor for a Bentworth musician in VanSickle’s tenure as band director. Katie Ferris, on bass clarinet in 2001, was the last Bentworth musician to achieve that lofty status, noted VanSickle. Bonnet’s favorite piece for the bassoon is “Vigil’s Keep” by Julie Giroux, which he performed at the PMEA Honors Band program.
With his all-state status, Bonnet has the opportunity to submit a video audition to qualify for nationals in Grapevine, Texas, in November as well as the All-East Band.
“I was shocked, definitely, at being selected for the all-state band,” Bonnet said. “I was surprised, happy, and of course very proud of the achievement.”
With only one year’s experience on the bassoon, Bonnet said the instrument is similar to any other in that “Every instrument has its own quirks and is challenging in different ways. With the bassoon, it’s the fingering sequence which may be difficult.”
But perhaps not that difficult, considering the time Bonnet puts into the instrument. He practices an hour every day in school, then adds “about 12 hours a week after that,” he said.
And don’t forget his participation in local community bands: On Monday, he is with Community Band South at Upper St. Clair High School; on Wednesday, it’s the Mon Valley Community Band at the Charleroi Senior Center; he alternates his Thursday community band service between the Bentleyville Firemen’s Band at the Bentleyville fire hall and the Carmichaels American Legion Band at the Carmichaels American Legion Building. He plays the bassoon in the Community South and Mon Valley programs, the clarinet in the Bentleyville and Carmichaels groups.
When asked if he hails from a family of musicians, Bonnet noted that neither his father, Matt, nor mother, Audra, is musically inclined. However, Bonnet’s grandmother, Sandy Bonnet, is a church organist.
Bonnet noted that his fondest memory of the experience was the “people I met at the all-state band. Everyone was so focused and like-minded regarding musical interests. That’s what we talked about … music … all the time.”