Students from across the state played in harmony this weekend as part of the University of Montevallo’s annual High School Honor Band Festival. High school musicians must be recommended by their school’s band director in order to qualify, and seats in the three concert bands are limited. This year, seven students from Bibb County High School and seven from West Blocton High School earned places on the stage.

The Wind Ensemble stands to applause at the end of the concert.

Honor Bands at colleges and universities often offer scholarships both by audition and merit. Two $1,000 scholarships were given out Sunday night. It is up to the students if they choose to apply and audition for a scholarship during the festival weekend.

Besides an intense three-day workshop where they learn new music, techniques, and experience working with other students and directors, students also are treated to several concerts in the evenings. These are put on by university bands and others invited to the festival.

For the Montevallo Honor Band, students must play for judges after registration, and based on scored results are then divided into three concert groups: Purple Band, Gold Band, and Wind Ensemble, with the latter being the top tier elite players, according to Joe Ardovino, UM’s Director of Bands and conductor of the Wind Ensemble.

Students from Bibb County Schools:

  • Lexie Sherrill – Flute, WB
  • Ruby Britt – Clarinet, BC
  • Jenna Smitherman – French Horn, WB
  • Jacob Heath – Trumpet, BC
  • Presley Duncan – Flute, BC
  • Kelsey Hubbard – Flute, BC
  • Alexis Cottingham – Clarinet, WB
  • Jesse Cook – Trumpet, BC
  • Laisha Pinon – Trumpet, BC
  • Jessica Finnen – Trombone, WB
  • Madison Smelcer – Euphonium, WB
  • Rachel Russell – Flute, BC (Wind Ensemble)
  • Anna Bell – Alto Saxophone, WB (Wind Ensemble)
  • Luke Taylor – Tuba, WB (Wind Ensemble)

Congratulations to all!

SOURCEThe Bibb Voice
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A father, creative professional, and an alumnus of Bibb County High School, Jeremy has found his way back to Centreville after many years away. He studied Finance and Economics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and almost a decade ago left the "normal" business world for audio and video production. A freelance writer, photographer, sound engineer, and film and video producer/director/editor, his work has appeared online for Southern Living, People, Health, Food & Wine, Sports Illustrated, Cooking Light, It's a Southern Thing, and This Is Alabama, as well as for independent musicians and filmmakers across Alabama.