Kassie Mathews delivered on her band director’s trust.
Michael Brewer, the director of the Classic City Band, an all-volunteer group, asked Mathews to conduct “Sleigh Ride,” the closing song for the band’s annual Holiday Concert on Dec. 16 at the University of Georgia’s Hodgson Concert Hall.
Mathews, a sophomore at Oglethorpe County High School, conducted the finale after playing oboe for the previous songs in the concert.
“It meant a lot to me,” Mathews said. “It was great being able to get up there in front of an audience at the UGA concert hall. It was like a dream. It was very exciting.”
Kassie has taken part in the OCHS band since she was a sixth-grader, and in the marching band since eighth grade, playing the saxophone, oboe and piano.
She then became the OCHS marching band’s youngest drum major in 11 years this fall. Kassie has made district honor band since the seventh grade and is the first-chair oboe for the honor band.
“We are very proud of Kassie for stepping up and taking advantage of such an experience,” her parents, Jesse and Cathryn Mathews, wrote in an email. “Watching her do the things that she loves is one of the most rewarding things a parent can experience.”
Even with her prior accolades in music, conducting the Classic City Band was still somewhat of an intimidating leap for Kassie, though she voiced that while she is just “a kid” conducting adults, “everyone was always very supportive.”
“This is Kassie’s second time conducting the band,” said David Floyd, a French horn player. “She has done an excellent job both times, and we love having her on the podium.”
Jesse Mathews taught Kassie “Fur Elise” on the piano in second grade and her parents said “we are a willing audience when she decides that she needs it.”
“Kassie has always been persistent when she wants to learn something new,” her parents wrote. “She will focus on that new skill until she's happy with her own performance, and she sets her bar high. She knew pretty early on what her interests are and has always been willing to put in the work on them.”
Kassie said the experience boosted her confidence and encouraged her to reflect on what her future in music could hold.
“It’s made me see that there’s more that I can do,” she said. “I don’t just have to play music, but I can conduct. Maybe even one day, I can compose music if I wanted to. But it’s shown that I can do anything that I put myself to.”