By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Flute player Amy Klapchuk earned Dowagiac Union High School band's most prestigious honor Wednesday night, the John Philip Sousa Award.
Her brother, saxophonist John Klapchuk, won in 2004.
Amy, daughter of Ed and Diane Klapchuk, 25208 McKenzie St., ranks third in the Class of 2005 with a 3.891 grade point average. John also graduated third in his class.
Amy plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College, then transfer to a four-year university. Her career plans are undecided.
She participated in 4-H and National Honor Society, but instrumental music anchors her activities, including Chieftain Marching Band, concert band, pep band and solo and ensemble.
The Sousa Award has become a nationwide symbol in musical achievement.
The pinnacle in a high school band program, the Sousa Award recognizes outstanding dedication and superior musicianship over a student's four years.
The award is named for the legendary U.S. Marine Band conductor and composer who appeared in Dowagiac and is responsible for America's most beloved marches, including "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Alongside Amy every step of the way "since preschool," and sitting next to each other during band awards night in the DUHS cafeteria, was trumpteter Kathryn Smith, recipient of the runner-up to the Sousa, the Patrick S. Gilmore Award.
Kathryn, daughter of Mark and Kaye Smith, 304 Orchard St., also plans to attend SMC - to study science, possibly microbiology or chemistry.
Kathryn, the DUHS Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen, played in wind ensemble, jazz band, pep band, belongs to NHS and participated in Drama Club and Science Olympics.
The Gilmore is named for the 19th American bandmaster and impresario who organized concerts with thousands of musicians, performing to audiences numbering more than 30,000.
A Gilmore recipient must display a sense of leadership, dedication and the work ethic necessary to become an outstanding musician. Percussionist Jon Comstock won in 2004.