Young and talented musicians descended on Lander University’s campus for the third year in a row to be part of the Region II Honor Bands Concert and Clinic, Feb. 22-23. Hosted by Lander, the S.C. Band Directors Association Region II band clinic combines the talents of students from nearly 60 middle and high schools in the western region of South Carolina.

Students in the Region II Clinic Band set up shop in Lander University’s Joe V. Chandler Center as they rehearse for the Saturday, Feb. 23, Honor Bands performance.

    Region II draws students from the following 13 counties: Aiken, Abbeville, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Orangeburg and Saluda. 

    Becoming a part of the band clinic is no small feat. Through an audition process, that took place at Emerald High School in January, more than 1,200 middle and high school students competed for a seat in one of four bands. Of those who auditioned, around 400 were selected.

    Middle and high school students with top scores were placed in the Junior Symphonic and Senior bands respectively. Students with next-to-best scores were placed in either the Junior Concert Band, made up of middle school students, or the Clinic Band, made up of high school students.

    While getting to be a part of the Region II Band alone shows dedication on the part of the students, the clinic itself is a testament to their talent.

    The event provides an opportunity for these students to hone their skills and work with different musicians and directors.

Students in the Region II Senior Band rehearse in Lander University’s Cultural Center Auditorium prior to their Saturday performance.

    “Wonderful events like this prove that music education has a solid foundation and bright future in South Carolina,” said Lander assistant professor of music Dr. Christopher Hughes, who had high praise for the performers as well as the music teachers who inspire and guide them.  Hughes and Lander instructor of music Robert Gardiner were on hand throughout the event to make sure clinic participants had everything they needed for the rehearsals and performances.

    “Anytime you can get your students to practice, it increases your bands program and helps the students become better musicians,” said David Vickery, director of bands at Ninety Six High School and coordinator for the Region II Band Clinic. “The clinic also gives students exposure to other band directors. They get to see that there are other styles of conducting and, in some cases, they get to hear other directors express the same points made by their high school or middle school band directors.”

    As the selected students arrived on Lander’s campus they were immediately separated into their respective bands to begin rehearsals. Each group was assigned a director chosen by the S.C. Band Directors Association. The directors merged the students, most of whom had never performed together, into a cohesive concert band, and the students and directors were given a day and a half to learn the music they would perform at a concert Saturday afternoon.

    Band directors were: Senior Band – Thomas Singletary, director of bands at Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Fla.; Clinic Band – Dr. Lorrie S. Crochet, assistant director of bands and assistant director of music at Winthrop University; Junior Symphonic Band – Dr. Norma Kirkland, coordinator of the Bachelor of Music program in music education at Columbia College; and Junior Concert Band – Ryan Westberry, band director at Aiken Middle School.

    The efforts of the directors and students culminated in the Saturday concert in Lander’s Cultural Center Auditorium. Each band performed with great success to a full house. 

    For further information on the S.C. Band Directors Association or the Region II Honor Bands, visit the South Carolina Band Link Web site at www.bandlink.org.