Southeast Mississippi’s brightest and most talented high school and middle school band students gathered at Jones County Junior College Saturday to perform in the 42nd Annual District V Honor Band Clinic concert.
The 1 p.m. concert at the W. P. Bush Fine Arts Building followed a morning of band clinics and competitions in the annual event sponsored by the Southeast Mississippi Band Directors Association (SEMBDA). The southeast region is known as District V.
Suzi Phillips of Magee, president of the association, said there are 26 participating high schools and 29 junior and middle schools participating in the association.
“Four hundred students were selected by their directors to participate in the clinic,” explained Magee. “The students we have here today are a part of over 900 students that auditioned.”
Phillips added that the students were able to rise to the challenge and be the best that they could be.
Middle school students were the first to perform. They were divided into two groups — the “Red Band” and the “Bronze Band.” Guest clinician for the Red Band was Keith Moffat, director of Olde Towne Middle School in Ridgeland. Ted Burns, a retired music educator with 30 years of experience with the Mississippi Public Schools, was the clinician for the Bronze Band.
The high school students were placed in two groups as well — the “Silver Band” and the “Gold Band.” David Young, a member of the Mississippi Bandmasters Hall of Fame, was the clinician for the Silver Band. The clinician for the Gold Band was Dr. James Sutherland, assistant director of bands at the University of Southern Mississippi.
All clinicians had nothing but praises for the association and students. They encourage the parents to continue to support their children and admonished the students to continue to strive to be the best that they can be.
Moffat, who is currently in his 14th year with the Ridgeland band program and 25th year as a Mississippi Band Director, commended the association and students for their hard work. He also noted that the Mississippi Legislature is in the process of making cuts in the state’s education budget.
“Usually when they talk about budget cuts and cutting programs, music is the first thing to go out the window,” said Moffat. “I would hate to lose problems like this just because someone is trying to save a buck.”
Burns agrees, adding that District V is one of the strongest clinics in the state.
“I’ve conducted many and have always enjoyed this one,” said Burns. “You have some wonderful and talented students here in District V. You should be proud of their accomplishments.”
In addition to Phillips, SEMBDA officers include William Garner of Sumrall, first vice president; Matt Walker of Enterprise, second vice president; Jennifer Cook of Stringer, third vice president; Craig Miller of South Jones, secretary; and Kim Dawsey of Oak Grove, treasurer.
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