From DAIS to Seoul: An AMIS Milestone for Our Baritone Saxophonist

On April 2, we packed our bags (and one really large saxophone!) and headed off to Seoul, South Korea to perform with the AMIS MS/HS Honor Band hosted by the Seoul Foreign School. Our Grade 10 student, Justin G. successfully passed his audition on the baritone saxophone back in November to be selected for this honor. This year's HS Honor Band was conducted by Dr. Emily Threinen, Director of Bands from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Threinen provided a rigorous and diverse program under the theme "impressions." 

Justin had an amazing time performing in an ensemble with musicians from 30 other schools around Asia. He had this to say about his experience: 

"It was my first time in a large wind ensemble like AMIS, my first time playing in a band with oboes, bassoons, tubas, horns, and my first solo baritone saxophone. The people who participate in this activity have a high level of performance. The euphonium player sitting next to me was a student applying to study Jazz at Berklee College of Music. It makes me more passionate. This activity made me grow up a lot, but also let me know more about the way the band plays and the form of large wind bands."

AMIS continues to be a phenomenal, high-caliber experience for our DAIS/DHS musicians, students and teachers alike. We can't wait to join again next year when the Taipei American School takes over as the host for the MS/HS Honor Band. 

Audition materials for the 2025-26 AMIS Honor Choirs, Bands, and Orchestras will be released on May 1. We wish all of our musicians excellent practice and successful auditions in the next academic year!