On Saturday, January 31 I had the privilege of attending the IPFW Three Rivers Honor Bands Concert. Each year students from the Tri-State area audition for this honor band. East Noble is one school that sends students each year. This year was no exception. East Noble Schools sent 23 students to the weekend that lasted from Thursday night to Saturday afternoon. Nine of those students were high school students: Jocelyn Hutchins, Lauren Hiser, Michael Johnston, Amber Maxwell, Abigail Fordeck, Meghan Nowels, Delaney Evers, Kierstynn Strange, and Deidre Kankovsky. Fourteen of the students were also middle school students: Melissa Domer, Destany Taggart, Edson Roque, Caden Conley, Madelyne Napier, Bryce Trowbridge, Olivia Smolinske, Hannah Stuckey, David Munoz, Alex Manns, Logan Metz, Mattie Fitzharris, Allyson Diehl, and Zane Stackhouse.

The first half of the concert focused on the middle school band. After working for the previous two days, the selection of songs performed were (in order of performance): Salute to the Sultan by Karl King and arranged by Gene Milford, Song of Hope by Jack Stamp, the first movement Tudor Sketches (a piece made of three different movements) by William Owens, and finished with Zombie Tango by James Meredith.

Sitting there listening to the middle school band made me remember my days in middle school band, and how it built my high school band career. The sound of the band, for as little time as they had, was very impressive. Led by guest instructor Mrs. Cheryl Richards, Director of Bands at Hill Country Middle School, beautifully conducted and led the students.

The list of Mrs. Richards’ personal accomplishments is extensive. The guest instructors IPFW brings in for the concert every year are always incredible musicians and have had an impact on the music community throughout the nation if not the world. Her husband, Mr. Richard Floyd, also conducted the high school band. His résumé includes the Texas State Director of Music Emeritus and Musical Director and Conductor of the Austin, Texas Symphonic Band. Each of these talented musicians brought their experiences to the table for the middle and high school students. However, their accomplishments do not take away from the maturity of the sound and talent displayed by both groups.

The second band to play was the high school band. After their hours of work, they performed the following pieces: Entry March of the Boyars by John Halvorsen, arranged by Fennel, Shenandoah, a beautiful piece written by Frank Ticheli in memory of a past student of the Richards, Canzona Bergamasca by Samuel Scheidt, arranged by Daehn, and movements I (Intrada), II (Basse Dance), IV (Saltarello), and VI (Allemande) of Courtly Airs and Dances by Ron Nelson. Again, the sound of this group swelled through the concert hall majestically. Mr. Swartzlander, middle school and elementary school band teacher at East Noble, said, “I was most impressed with the intonation of the ensemble.  Instrument sections were in tune with themselves and in tune with each other.  This is very difficult to achieve in an Honor Band setting.  The level of performance by the High School was very good.”

I also had the privilege of catching up with Mrs. Ann Linson, superintendent of East Noble School Corporation, who also attended the concert. She said, “I am so proud that our middle school and high school students were recognized for their talents and were a part of this amazing ensemble. While listening to and watching our students play, I was impressed that they could learn such complex music in such a short period of time. I feel very fortunate to be a part of East Noble School Corporation where we have such talented and dedicated students.” Mr. Swartzlander attested for this sentiment saying, “The experience of rehearsing and performing with the Honor Band is extremely valuable…  Performing with musicians of the same caliber allows students to perform literature of high demand.”

I was very impressed with the concert, and very proud as an East Noble student to see how well East Noble was represented. Also, I’m very encouraged for the future with the amount of young talent coming to the high school based off of watching the young yet talented middle school band. East Noble truly has a talented group of musicians.