020612 Student musicians shine at annual Tri-County Honors Band concert

  • By Sharon Haught
  • January 30, 2012
  • 359
                        
Summary: Talented band members from high schools across Wayne, Holmes and Ashland counties shared the stage when the Tri-County Honors Band performed at McGaw Chapel on the campus of the College of Wooster on Jan. 29. Top instrumental musicians from high schools across Wayne, Holmes and Ashland counties shared the same stage when the Tri-County Educational Service Center presented its annual Tri-County Honors Band concert on Jan. 29 at McGaw Chapel on the campus of the College of Wooster. In all 92 talented high band students from 14 school districts from throughout the tri-county area were selected to take part in a program specifically designed to provide an advanced instrumental music opportunity for gifted high school band students. To be considered for the program high school band students audition with the recommendation of the student's high school band director. Based on the audition and instrumentation, the students are placed in one of two bands. To prepare for their annual concert with the College of Wooster Scot Symphonic Band, the students in the Tri-County Honors Band take part in a series of rehearsals with guest conductors. Leading the two bands for 2012 were Galen Karriker, Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Akron, and Jonathan Willis, Director of Bands at the University of Mt. Union. First to take the stage was the 53 member Karriker Honors Band, which performed three songs including Travis Cross’s “Tribute”. The Karriker Honor Band was followed by the 39 member strong Willis Honor Band who performed a pair of songs including Gustav Holst’s iconic “Second Suite for Military Band”. The finale of the concert was presented by the Scot Symphonic Band, who performs under the direction of College of Wooster Professor of Music Nancy Ditmer. After the College of Wooster Pipes and Drummers presented a trio of Scottish songs, the Scot Symphonic Band performed three selections including John Zdechik’s “Celebrations”. Acting as master of ceremonies for the concert was Triway High School band director John Puster. After recognizing the participating students, their parents and their directors Puster encouraged parents to be strong advocates for the fine arts in their home school districts and to continue to support the work of the talented student musicians and the music teachers that make their programs possible. The Tri-County Honors Band program is sponsored by the Tri-County Educational Service Center in partnership with the College of Wooster. The Tri-County Honors Band program is part of a series of music related activities and performances coordinated by the Tri-County Educational Service Center and designed to supplement the already strong music programs offered within the county by local school districts. Included in Tri-County’s fine arts offerings is the Wayne Center for the Arts Children’s Chorus program, a children’s symphony orchestra concert for fourth grade students and an opera performance for fifth grade students designed to introduce students to live musical performances, the Solo and Ensemble Festival showcasing the talents of instrumentalists in fifth through twelfth grade, the annual high school marching band performance at the Wayne County Fair, the Wayne County Festival of Choirs for high school choir students and the Wayne County Bandarama for high school marching bands. For more information on these and other services offered by the Tri-County Educational Service Center log on to www.tricountyesc.org.


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