When the estimated 130 students from 29 Ohio and West Virginia high schools start arriving on Marietta College’s campus on Friday, April 8th, Dr. Jay Dougherty is confident everyone will be ready.
“This is the first year we have done an Honor Band or Honor Choir at Marietta College, but it’s something we have been discussing and planning for years,” said Dougherty, Director of Choral Activities. “We know we have a lot to offer in our music department and I think this is a great way to showcase our talented faculty, our great students, and our wonderful facilities.”
The students were selected by their band and choir directors as being among the best musicians from their high school. They will arrive around 4:00 p.m. and once everyone is checked in, the students will begin rehearsals.
Rehearsals continue Saturday and then the students will be treated to a performance by Floodstage, the College’s acapella group, and a faculty saxophone duet. Rehearsals continue Sunday as the students prepare for the 1:00 p.m. performances of the Honor Band and Honor Choir at Fenton Court. The performances are free and open to the public.
“Our hope is that students from all around can come to our beautiful campus and feel at home here. I’m certain it will put us on their radar at the very least. But it’s not just about recruitment; it's about providing a service to our community,” Dougherty said. “Many schools all around rural Ohio have small ensembles at their schools and students never get the opportunity to perform with a large ensemble. This is an opportunity for them to experience music at a higher level than they wouldn’t otherwise get while still in high school. This event has the chance of promoting life-long music for them in ways they aren’t likely expecting.”
The Honor Band and Honor Choir will consist of students from the following regional high schools: Alexander, Barnesville, Buffalo, Cameron, Chillicothe, Claymont, Conotton Valley, Cornerstone Academy, Fairmont Senior, Federal Hocking, Frontier, Gallia Academy, Holy Name, John Glenn, Lehman Catholic, Logan, Louisville, Marietta, Meadowbrook, Midview, Pleasant Local Schools, River Valley, St. Marys, Speiro Academy, Trimble, Vinton County, Warrensville Heights, Waverly and Westfall.