03/25/15 — All-County Band Festival will be Thursday

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All-County Band Festival will be Thursday

By From staff reports
Published in News on March 25, 2015 1:46 PM

Wayne County Public Schools will hold its annual 2015 All-County Band Festival on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Dillard Middle School.

More than 105 band members representing middle and high school bands will join together to showcase their instrumental talents.

The event is free and open to the public.

Administrators call the annual concert an enrichment opportunity that allows students to present their musical talents, as well as grow as musicians through the assistance of guest conductors.

"The All-County band members have spent countless hours preparing and working to master the musical selections," said Dr. Sandra McCullen, interim superintendent. "Because of the hard work that goes into this event each year by our band teachers, guest clinicians and students, audience members can expect an outstanding evening of performances."

Two guest conductors will direct the middle and high school bands. The middle school director will be Melody Causby, band director at Bunn High School band director. The high school director will be Dr. William Ford, chair of the music department and director of bands at the University of Mount Olive.

"Recognizing that band members do not practice or perform together as ensembles until they meet with guest conductors this week, the success of this event could not happen year after year without the months of preparation that occurs behind the scenes," Kim Copeland, director of middle grades education/performing arts, said.

Band directors who worked with the student for the annual showcase were Jerome Powers of Brogden Middle, Michael Palmer of Charles B. Aycock High, Shannon Stokes of Dillard Middle, Bobby Sherard of Eastern Wayne High, Daryl Richardson of Eastern Wayne Middle, Joshua Artis of Goldsboro High, Nicole Price of Grantham Middle, Jennifer L. Kirkland of Greenwood Middle, Cindy Grant of Mount Olive Middle, Paula Rodgers of Norwayne Middle, Melissa Riser of Rosewood Middle and Rosewood High, Cindy Grant of Southern Wayne High, Karen Peele of Spring Creek Middle, and Daniel Kilgore of Spring Creek High.

Musical selections for this year include Little Star, Majestica, Regal March, Bossa Blue, Cowboy Cattle Drive, A Prehistoric Suite, Mayflower Overture, Nelson and As Summer Was Just Beginning.