Cosby High School (CHS) senior, who plays euphonium inthe Red Regiment marching band at Cocke County High School (CCHS), has beenselected as first chair in the All-State Band.

Josh Rakestraw has played with the Red Regiment sinceschool officials began allowing CHS students to travel to CCHS to participatein the band program.

"This is an enormous honor," said CCHS BandDirector Pat Mason. "To be named the best euphonium player in the state isphenomenal."

Rakestraw plans to major in music performance atCarson-Newman College this fall.

He explained he started playing alto saxophone in theband when he was in fifth grade. When he was in eighth grade, Cosby got aeuphonium, so he switched instruments.

The euphonium is a professional level of baritone, whichhas a unique sound.

"After I started playing the euphonium I reallyliked it," said Rakestraw. "I have had to practice a lot."

Receiving the honor of being named first chair in theAll-State Band was a great surprise to the student.

"I was very, very surprised," said Rakestraw."It was a great honor."

Discussing CHS students participating in the CCHS band,Mason said, "It was an experiment, but we truly wanted it to work. We feltit would give all the students, at both high schools, the bestopportunity."

He recalled when Karl Wirt was retiring from Cosby hecame to him and said he had three brilliant students, possibly more, who werevery talented and he wanted to see them excel in band.

Those students were Adam McMahan, Ashley Bryant, and JoshRakestraw. Eight or nine All-State East band students were graduating, andthere was a real need for students to help fill those spots, Mason explained.McMahan and Bryant have since graduated.

"Those students were brought to see me and I toldthem we were interested in them becoming a part of the program," heexplained. "They were a real asset to the band because they helped bridgesome gaps for us."

The school system had tried to hire a band director forCHS, according to Mason.

"Four fine candidates were interviewed for theposition, but they all turned the job down when they learned the size of theband," Mason said.

One day at restaurant, CCHS Choral Director Michael Short,former CCHS Assistant Band Director John Williams, and Mason were discussingthe CHS band students.

"Mr. Short then asked if we could look at bringingthe Cosby kids to Cocke County for band. He said they could remain Cosbystudents, but just come to Cocke County for band," Mason explained.

"This way, we could hire someone to come in and runthe elementary school program and we could focus on the high schoollevel," he added. "That way we could all have our cake and eat it,too."

However, the principals, assistant principals, anddirector of schools would have to be convinced this would be a wise decision.

"They were all fantastic and willing to listen tous," he said. "We were afraid it could be a political hot-pot, butthey were willing to step out on a limb and accept logic. They put the kidsfirst and were willing to take the chance."

Mason said he would like to thank Wilbur West, LarryBlazer, Dr. Duran Williams, Dr. Paul Webb, and Gary Williams for allowing theCosby students to participate in the Red Regiment.

CHS Principal Dr. Paul Webb said, "I realize to benamed first chair in the entire state shows a great level of expertise. Evenwithout this honor we are very proud of Josh, who is an intelligent and wellbehaved student. He is a very fine young man."

"We don't have a band at Cosby, the school is toosmall. If we did have a band, Josh probably would not be first chair in thestate," he added.

"It was a big adjustment for some students,especially freshmen. It is often difficult to adjust to one high school, letalone adjust to two high schools," Webb said.

He said now several CHS students travel to CCHS for band,auto mechanics, and JROTC.

Once each year, the Red Regiment plays during a Cosbyfootball game. Both Webb and Mason said it is one of the highlights of theyear.

"What makes this even more special is that so manypeople went out on a limb to make this happen and now, three years later,one-tenth of the band is comprised of Cosby students and a Cosby studentreceived the highest honor in the state," Mason said.

"This has come full circle," he added."Cosby students play very significant roles in our band, and all of thestudents have become integrated."

Rakestraw said if he hadn't been given the opportunity toparticipate in the Red Regiment, he would probably have dropped out of band andnot pursued his musical interests.

Rakestraw is the son of Teri and Joe Williams, of Cosby,and grandson of Gary Butler, of Cosby. He has three sisters, Kaley Rakestraw,Veronica Rakestraw, and Hannah Zurcher.