Wakeland Band and Color Guard
3.4.18
Congratulations to the Wakeland Color Guard on their terrific performances this past Saturday at the NTCA Wakeland Show!
Great job to all of those who volunteered their time and efforts to making sure the NTCA show ran smoothly! You all did a terrific job hosting!
This week Wind Symphony students will be performing on Saturday for their Midwest Competition Submission. Check out the information below for the events this week and information on the Midwest Clinic.
DAILY Items to remember
-Please make sure you are prepared for every rehearsal
Students need the following at all rehearsals:
-Pencil
-Tuner
-Tuner Clip
-Music
-Instrument and Accessories
Please make sure you are taking care of all pass-offs for each ensemble.
College Prep Fundraiser
Hope to see you there!
Wind Symphony and Midwest Clinic
The Midwest Clinic began on Dec. 7, 1946, when approximately 120 directors from the Chicago area assembled in a YMCA gymnasium on Chicago’s West Side for a six-hour clinic and new music reading session. In 1947, the event was expanded to two days and moved to the Hotel Sherman to take advantage of the larger music conference-compatible facilities and accommodations for out-of-town directors. Besides the two-day format, this second installment brought many new features, including a printed program, an additional band and a new name: The Midwest Clinic. The VanderCook School of Music, Neil A. Kjos Music Company and Lyons Band Instrument Company sponsored the music conference. For the next 25 years, the Hotel Sherman was home to The Midwest Clinic. In the 1950s, orchestras and jazz ensembles were introduced, and in 1962, The Midwest Clinic held its first official Orchestra Day.
In 1963, the music conference expanded to a four-and-a-half-day format. In 1973, The Midwest Clinic moved to the Hilton Chicago, where, with several nearby venues, it was held until 2008. In 1995, the Blackstone Hotel was used in addition to the Hilton for hosting clinic conference events. With the addition of this facility, The Midwest Clinic was able to present more clinics than ever in its history. In 1999, the Congress Plaza replaced the Blackstone Hotel as the second site of music conference events. The Blackstone Hotel and Merle Reskin Theatre were used as additional sites in 2008. In 2009, The Midwest Clinic moved to McCormick Place West, bringing all the music conference programs and exhibits under one roof.
In the earliest years of the "Midwest Clinic," the organizers – H.E. Nutt, Howard Lyons and Neil Kjos, Sr. – invited outstanding bands to perform, based upon the reputations of the organization and its director. In addition to giving a formal concert, the bands were also expected to provide a sight-reading session, with the selections being requested by audience members on the spur of the moment. Today, The Midwest Clinic continues to feature performances by outstanding organizations, but now every group that desires to perform at the international music conference must first apply to do so.
Over the years, the focus of The Midwest Clinic has remained on bringing international music directors into contact with not only the best published music, but also with new and established teaching techniques, and the latest products and services for the music educator.
Mission Statement: “The Midwest Clinic strengthens international instrumental music education through extensive professional development opportunities, inspirational experiences and cultivation of rewarding professional relationships.”
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Mr. David Starnes joined the School of Music faculty at Western Carolina University in the spring of 2011, when he was named Assistant Professor in The School of Music and appointed the Director of Athletic Bands. During his tenure at Western Carolina University, The “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band has performed as halftime entertainment for the Carolina Panthers (2011), the exhibition band at The Bands of America Southeast Regional in Atlanta, Georgia (2011), the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana (2012, 2015) and the 88th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City (2014). In 2013, he was selected by the WCU School of Music faculty and students as the recipient of the James E. Dooley Excellence in Music Teaching Award.
Prior to his appointment at WCU, he served as the Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Georgia for ten years. As the founding Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School (2000), the band program grew from its initial 85 students to over 250 members. Under his direction, Kennesaw Mountain High School was recognized in all areas of performance for their achievements at local, state, and national levels including concert band, jazz band, marching band, winter guard and winter percussion. They are a six-time national finalist at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, being named the 2004 Bands of America “AAA National Champion” and a four-time Regional Champion in Bands of America events. In December of 2003, the John Philip Sousa Foundation presented the Kennesaw Mountain High School Band the prestigious “Sudler Shield of Excellence” for outstanding achievement in marching band. In 2005, the band appeared in the 79th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The Kennesaw Mountain High School Wind Symphony performed at the 60th Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic held in Chicago, Illinois in December of 2006.
Mr. Starnes is sought out nationally and internationally as an adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor, and creative designer. In 2016, he was appointed a member of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Shield Jury and named a member of the Yamaha Master Educator program. In 2013, he joined the staff of Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, where he currently serves as Design Staff Coordinator. Mr. Starnes serves as Board Chairman for United Sound, a nationally recognized special needs music education program. He served as an adjudicator for several state, national, and international organizations including Bands of America, Winter Guard International, and Drum Corps International from 1994-2012. In addition to his position at Western Carolina University, he serves as an Education Consultant at Music For All in Indianapolis, Indiana. While fulfilling this role, he serves as the program director for The Honor Band of America, who appeared in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2017.
As a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mr. Starnes graduated magna cum laude from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1988. He is married to Rhea Jeanne Starnes, an Architect, and has a daughter, Hannah, who works as an Interior Designer in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Future Dates
Band Banquet 2018
Band Banquet, Friday, May 25th, 6:00p
The Marriott at Shops of Legacy
More details/invitations coming soon
Stay Up-to-date (REMIND 101)
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“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
― Simon Sinek
Thank you and have a GREAT week!
Tanner Smith
Director of Bands
Wakeland High School
469-633-5730