Gulf Shores High School senior Kaitlyn Yaun has been awarded a marching band scholarship to the University of South Alabama.

Yaun, who plays clarinet in the GSHS band, auditioned earlier this year for USA Marching Band Director Ward Miller.

Miller met with Yaun on Feb. 24 while he was in Gulf Shores conducting the GSHS band for a practice session.

“Every single person that plays in our marching band has to audition,” he said. “On the day Kaitlyn auditioned, I heard 20 or more people, and turned at least half of them away.”

He said Yaun’s ability to “sight read” music without having seen or played the selections previously is what set her apart from the majority of other students who auditioned.

Yaun, who has been playing clarinet since she was a sixth-grader at Gulf Shores Elementary School, said she was thrilled to learn she had been selected for the band and the accompanying scholarship.

“I look forward to the challenges and fun of marching in the USA band,” she said. “I probably won’t major in music, but it has been such an important part of my life so far, I want to participate in music for the rest of my life.” She said she will probably declare music to be her minor course of study.

Miller said the marching band at USA is a select group that marched only 200 last year, and he expects to increase only slightly in number for the 2011 football season.

“Eventually we want to march about 250,” he said.

GSHS Band Director Tim Brannan said he was proud of Yaun and her accomplishments.

“Kaitlyn is a dynamic individual that has been a part of our marching band for five years,” he said. “She has been section leader and is a member of the Alabama All-State Band. She has also participated in several summer camps and collegiate honor bands.”

Brannan said Yaun is not only a fine musician, but an athlete as well. She is a member of the GSHS swim team.

“As a member of the swim team, Kaitlyn is one of the examples I like to point to when I hear students and parents talking about band interfering with sports,” he said. “If it is a priority we will always find a way to make everything happen for the students.”

Yaun is the daughter of Steve and Tina Yaun of Gulf Shores. Brannan credits them with giving their daughter the support she needed to be successful in music and athletics.

“Steve and Tina were a big part of making sure that Kaityln stayed focused, well rounded and made music a priority,” he said. “When people believe that all of that is possible, the results are what you see here with Kaitlyn’s scholarship.

Miller said the scholarship was worth $1,000 plus other expenses, and she will also be eligible for two more music scholarships for participating in the Jaguar pep band that plays at basketball games and for the university’s symphony.

“I am extremely proud of everything she has accomplished,” Brannan said. “It’ll be great to see her on the field this fall with the USA Jaguar Band.”