Dr. Jim Smisek and the Division of Music founded the Samford Honor Band for select high school students in 2007 with the purpose of bringing potential future Samford instrumental musicians on campus to experience the environment and facilities. In just three years the program has taken off, with attendance increasing from 52 students (forming one high school band) the first year to 500 students (forming two middle school and two high school ensembles) in 2009.In the Honor Band program, students work for three days in clinics and 45-minute masterclasses with guest musicians and Samford faculty to prepare for solo and ensemble performance. "The masterclasses allow students a period of time to train with faculty who are experts on their particular instrument," says Dr. Smisek.
"The classes have been extremely well-received by students and their band directors."
The event closes with a grand concert of the four Honor Bands to showcase what the students have learned in only nine hours of rehearsal.
The Fourth Annual Samford Honor Band, set for January 7-9, 2010, will include two middle school and two high school bands, with several band scholarships being awarded to outstanding participants after the grand concert in Wright Center. High school and middle school directors will be permitted to nominate a select number of students for consideration as finalists.
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