MSU hosts Honor Band Clinic, invites public to performances
Contact: Bethany Shipp
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State will host more than 200 high school musicians from across the region for its annual Honor Band Clinic this Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 30-Feb. 1.
Chosen through an audition process, students will work with distinguished guest clinicians including Col. Don Schofield, commander and conductor of the U.S. Air Force Band, who will conduct the top clinic band; Jerell Horton, band director, Vestavia Hills High School, Birmingham, Alabama; and June Bearden, retired band director, Frenship Middle School, Wolfforth, Texas. MSU music faculty members will lead masterclasses, and the weekend of rehearsals will culminate with a concert on Saturday afternoon [Feb. 1].
“It is always a pleasure to welcome students and directors from across our region to our annual Honor Band Clinic,” said Elva Kaye Lance, MSU director of bands. “More than 300 students auditioned for acceptance to attend this on-campus event, and their selection reflects their outstanding musicianship and the commitment their teachers make to developing their musical understanding.”
Free and open to the public, performances take place in Lee Hall and include:
—Thursday, 6 p.m., Madison Central High School Symphonic Band directed by Chuck Reynolds.
—Friday, 7:30 p.m., MSU Wind Ensemble directed by Elva Kaye Lance.
—Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Honor Band concert featuring all clinic bands.
“Not only does this weekend provide an opportunity for musical growth but also allows high school students to become more familiar with our music program and make new relationships with the students and faculty at MSU,” said Lance. “We are always delighted to have these guests on our campus and hope many of them will choose Mississippi State University as a place to invest in their future when they graduate from high school.”
MSU’s College of Education, home of the Department of Music and Famous Maroon Band, also includes four additional academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units. Learn more at https://www.educ.msstate.edu/.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.