By: Jacob Ruscher
Grace Edler, Grace Hummel, Iris Swagler, Margaret Bass, and Rachel McDuffey participated in
the Clinton County Honor Band on March 6 at Central Community High School under the direction of
Dan Dietrich.
According to band director Madison Sanker, the Clinton County Honor Band occurs every year
and is made up of band students from Carlyle, Central, Mater Dei, and Wesclin High School who are
doing exceptionally well in school and band.
Students who were selected had the chance to work with a guest conductor and learn a variety of
composers for the concert later that night.
Students who attended honor band spent a majority of their day rehearsing in both a full band
setting and in sectionals, which are made up of smaller groups organized by types of instruments.
“Most of the rehearsals are spent putting different parts of music together and cleaning sections of
the music. While most of the actual learning of the notes and rhythms in the music is typically done prior
to arriving at the event, students still have the ability to learn from the guest conductor through his/her
conducting, rehearsal techniques, and teaching methods, said Sanker.
After rehearsals and dinner, students then set up and performed a free concert for the community.
“I have been a part of seven honor bands throughout high school. I am looking forward to
meeting different people in my section from other schools,” said senior floutist and Clinton County Honor
Band member Grace Edler.
Selections that will be played by the honor band members are “Prairie Songs”, “Invictus”,
“Crush”, “Amazing Grace”, and “Pixar Movie Magic”.