Middle and high school students from across the region will participate in Concord University’s second annual Honor Band event this weekend.
CU’s band director, Dr. David Ball, says 160 students from 16 different educational institutions are participating in the event. The students will be organized into three bands – Middle School, High School, and Wind Ensemble – that will rehearse for two days starting Thursday, January 30.
The groups will present a concert on February 1 at 1 p.m. in the Alexander Fine Arts Main Auditorium. This event is open to the public and free of charge, but donations will be accepted in lieu of ticket charges to help offset the cost of the event.
“Honor Bands provide an opportunity for many students to come together to showcase their musical talents by collaborating in an enriching musical experience,”
Dr. David Ball
Many of the directors that nominated students are CU music alums, including the guest conductor of the Middle School Band, Tracy Casey from PikeView Middle School. Casey has been a music educator for 17 years. She holds two degrees from Concord University: a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.
Zach Sweeney will conduct the High School group. Mr. Sweeney is the band director of Glenvar High School in Salem, VA. He is a graduate of Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL and is in his ninth year teaching. He is also the founder and head instructor at the Impact The Outcome Marching Band Leadership Academy.
Dr. Ball will conduct the Wind Ensemble. He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts from Virginia Tech, a Post Graduate Diploma from The Royal Northern College of Music: University of Manchester, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota.
-CU-
CONTACT:
Lindsey Byars
Concord University
Office of Advancement
PO Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712
(304) 384-5219
http://www.concord.edu
After 4 p.m.
lbyars@concord.edu
Cell: 304-887-6312
(leave message)