H. Suzie Lee
SMFHS Wind Ensemble visited the University of Akron’s 31st Annual Band Clinic Concert Festival.
Band Clinic Concert Festival was held on Feb. 13, 2019 at E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall welcoming three high school bands including SMFHS, Mogadore Concert Band, Champion Symphonic Band.
Dr. James R. Shaker was the guest conductor and clinician for the festival; he served as a Professor and Director of the Bands Emeritus at the University of Nebraska.
Guest soloist was Dr. Elisabeth Shafer, a Visiting Assistant Trombone Professor at The University of Akron, and performed “Morceau Symphonique, Op. 88” by Alexandre Guilmant.
Students were able to meet with their instrument profession professor and have an hour length of clinic including rehearsals at EJ Thomas Hall.
After spending a full day at UA communicating with the university’s faculty, students performed at E.J. Thomas Hall with their repertoire.
Evening Program of the concert started with the UA’s University Band, Concert Band.
Mogadore High School Concert Band performed “Bonds of Unity” by Karl King and “Polly Oliver” by Thomas Root with Stephanie Bonitz, conductor of the band. James Shaker, guest conductor, directed “Voltage” by David Shaffer.
Champion High School Symphonic Band played “Down in the River” by Jay Bocook within the direction of Tyler Husosky. Shaker directed “Strange Humors” by John Mackey.
SMFHS Wind Ensemble performed “Black Granite” by James L. Hosay and “Shine” by Julie Giroux with conducting of Greg Newman. Shaker directed “Variations on a Korean Folk Song” by John Barnes Chance.
Concert was finished with UA’s Symphonic Band and all of the brass players in the high school performed “God of Our Fathers” by Claude T. Smith.