Gabi Lawrey, a junior at Southeast, won the Outstanding Band Musicians Award on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2019, at the 48th annual Nebraska Wesleyan Music Honors Festival. Lawrey plays the oboe in the Southeast Band and said that she started playing this instrument in 6th grade and fell in love with it. Lawrey can also play the French horn.

It is obvious that Lawrey loves playing her instruments and puts a lot of work into trying to improve. Her hard work paid off. “I try to practice at least 30 minutes a day, sometimes more,” Lawrey said.

She was chosen to receive the Outstanding Band Musician Award out of 90 formidable musicians. “I was very shocked. I was not expecting it at all but I was also honored to be picked.”.

Lawrey has been chosen to be apart of many different honors bands including the Nebraska All State Band, the University Of Nebraska Wind Winds and the Hastings College High School Honor Band.

The Music Department at Southeast offers many students a chance to use their talents and make an impact. “My favorite part of band is the musical expression you can have through it,” Lawrey said.