Eighth-grader will represent area in 2002 All-State Band

A middle school trombone player from Columbia County will be the only band member representing the area in the Georgia 2002 Middle School All-State Band.

Arthur Moore, an eighth-grader at Riverside Middle School, recently traveled to Perry, Ga., to audition with about 80 other trombone players for one of the slots in the band. The All-State Band will perform May 4 in Savannah.

"He's a very talented kid," said Steve Puitt, the band director at Riverside Middle School. "It's very hard to make the All-State Band. He works very hard, he's got good motivation, good support. He's very diligent. If I've ever asked him to do something, he's always come back prepared to the best of his ability."

Arthur is the son of James and Keiko Moore of Evans.

"He's probably better than I was as a junior or senior in high school," said his father, who played trombone and was the inspiration for Arthur selecting the instrument.

Arthur is playing his father's 26-year-old trombone "dents and all," Mr. Moore said. This is only his third year playing the instrument.

"I actually started playing the summer before sixth grade," Arthur said, "but I just sat around and scared the cat with it."

Arthur recently performed as first trombone with the 10th District Middle School Honor Band and also has been second chair in the Honor Band at the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival for the past two years. Next year, he will be in the Greenbrier High School Band.

The secret to his success?

"I just practice," said Arthur, who devotes about 30 minutes a day toplaying.

In addition to band, Arthur enjoys playing soccer and tennis and is on the A-B honor roll at Riverside Middle School.