March 29, 2024

Clarke middle-school students chosen for honor band

Four eighth-grade students from Clarke Community Middle School will participate in the 25th annual Simpson College Orpheus Honor Band Festival Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Band members were chosen not only based upon written recommendations from their band teachers, but also to provide proper instrumentation for two balanced honor bands of equal playing ability. Both of the honor bands are named for Simpson’s colors — the red band and gold band.

Students from 46 different schools have been given music to practice in advance of the festival. On the day of the festival, all of the students will rehearse together during the morning and afternoon as an ensemble for the first time. Then, that evening, they will present a concert for the public. Each of the two honor bands has approximately 75 members.

Holly Smith, an eighth-grade clarinet player, and Parker Smith, an eighth-grade trombone player, were selected to perform with the gold honor band. Remington Cook, an eighth-grade trumpet player, and Riley Elben, an eighth-grade euphonium player, were chosen to perform with the red honor band.

They are all students of Christie Averweg, Clarke Community Middle School band director.

The concert will begin at 6:45 p.m. with a performance by some Simpson College instrumental ensembles, followed by both of the middle-school honor bands.

All of the performances will take place in Pote Theatre at the Blank Performing Arts Center on the campus of Simpson College in Indianola. The concert is free and open to the public.