STARKVILLE, Miss.--A 50-year Mississippi State tradition continues this week as the university's music education department again sponsors an honor band clinic that will include two public concerts.
More than 400 high school students from Mississippi and surrounding states are participating in master classes and rehearsals led by guest conductors and MSU music education faculty members.
Activities will culminate with an 8 p.m. Friday [Jan. 28] performance by the MSU Wind Ensemble and a 1 p.m. Saturday [the 29th] finale featuring all master-class participants. Both programs will take place in the McComas Hall theater.
Selected by audition, participants in the honor band are focusing on effective techniques for instrumental performance, said Craig Aarhus, assistant director of MSU bands.
"The program originally started as a clinic for directors to bring their students and hear some of the newest compositions for concert band," he explained. "Over the years, it has evolved into its present format and has become the largest university honor band clinic in the state."
Guest professionals participating this week include Aldo Forte of Newport News, Va.; Nola Jones of Northern Arizona University; Marty Courtney of Lewisville (Texas) High School, and Jeff Cannon of Pearl High School.
For more information, telephone (662) 325-3070.