On Jan. 29, ETSU’s music department hosted their 43rd annual Honor Band where high school students from the region and beyond show off their musical talents and audition for the honor bands.
The bands consisted of students from 28 high schools in the area. Students were either placed in “Blue Band” or “Gold Band” based off of their skill levels, with Gold Band being the most advanced of the two.
Guest conductors included Mr. Steven Barton of the Blue Band, and Dr. Jack Stamp of the Gold Band. Each band played 4 pieces each, including movements such as “Peyton’s Place,” “Mazama,” “Three Organ Preludes,” and more.
Currently serving as International Composer in Association to the world-renowned Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band, Dr. Stamp recently served as visiting professor of music at Luther College (Fall, 2018), where he was acting director of bands and taught conducting. He spent the prior three years as adjunct faculty at UW-River Falls. He has recently retired from being a professor of music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Steven Barton is a native of Western Pennsylvania, graduating from Butler Senior High School in 1972. He received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and a master’s degree of music in percussion performance from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. He has had a busy career in different high school bands and retired in 2016 after 37 years of educating young minds.
Any high school student interested in joining the ETSU music faculty and students at next year’s honor band festival should contact Dr. Zembower at zembower@etsu.edu.
To learn more about the ETSU Music Department, visit their website at www.etsu.edu/music or contact them at 423-439-4270.
