Members of Clarkston High School’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble finished tuning their instruments.
They held onto their instruments and waited for the signal from their Director Michael Lewis to begin playing at the Michigan Music Conference at DeVos Auditorium in Grand Rapids on Jan. 22.
‘The performance was outstanding and Clarkston High School definitely has one of the top bands in the state,? said Shelley Roland, Sashabaw Middle School Music Director.
Another honor went to Clarkston students as members were selected for the All-State groups. Selected were Caelan Stewart, horn, middle school band; Michael Geiske, bassoon, Patrick Furlo, horn, high school band, and Kevin Thompson, tuba, and Lauren Rodewald, double bass, high school orchestra.
‘It is a huge honor for these students and our program,? said Roland.
The Clarkston Symphonic Wind Ensemble program included the following repertoire: Gazebo Dances-Corigliano, Allerseelen-Strauss, March from Symphonic Metamorphosis-Hindemith, Dusk-Bryant, and Gumsucker’s March-Grainger. Central Michigan University director of bands, John Williamson, served as guest director.
Every spring groups submit their application and recordings of a performance and only four high school bands and one high school orchestra band are chosen for the annual event.
The Clarkston Bands under the batons of the Clarkston Band Directors Michael Lewis, Julie Mathews, Shelley Roland, and Justin Harris have performed at the Michigan Music Conference (formerly known as the Midwestern Conference) three times in the past ten years.
This year Clarkston was joined by the Lake Orion High School Symphonic Band, Lapeer West High School Symphonic Band, Grand Ledge High School Wind Symphony, Traverse City High School and the Charlotte Middle School Cadet Band.