Dec. 17, 2010
Catholic high school students from the Baltimore and Washington archdioceses had the chance to practice and perform with CUA professors from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music and Marine band members earlier this month.
Sixty-five students from 10 high schools were invited to participate in clinics and rehearsals before a combined concert with the CUA Wind Ensemble.
Participating students came from Archbishop Spalding High School, Academy of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame Preparatory School, and DeMatha Catholic, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Bishop McNamara, St. Elizabeth Seton, St. John's College, St. Mary's Ryken, and St. Vincent Pallotti high schools.
On Saturday, Dec. 11, the students spent a long but enjoyable day at CUA with seating auditions beginning at 7:15 a.m. and rehearsals lasting through 3:45 p.m., says Michael V. Smith, chair of music education. The Marine Band Brass Quintet and Marine Band Woodwind Quintet both gave clinics in the morning.
The honor band began their concert in Hartke Theatre at 5 p.m. The concert closed with the honor band and wind ensemble playing "76 Trombones" from the musical "The Music Man."
The event was directed by CUA Wind Ensemble Director John Mitchell. Smith and Grayson Wagstaff, dean of music, also worked with the performers.
"This was a great opportunity for these talented high school students to experience high-level music-making under the direction of Maestro Mitchell and Dr. Smith," Dean Wagstaff noted. "We were delighted to have the students and many of their teachers on campus as our guests."
