Lower Columbia College will host its 31st High School Honor Band this weekend. Students will study and rehearse January 15 with special guest conductor James Smart of the University of Montana, then present a free concert at 7:30 p.m. January 16, in the Wollenberg Auditorium, Rose Center for the Arts. The LCC Jazz Band will perform at intermission.
LCC Band Director Dr. Gary Nyberg founded the Honor Band 31 years ago, and has put the event together ever since. The 2010 LCC High School Honor Band includes Madeline Rooklidge, Erin Turner, and Ryan Gunnip, all from Wahkiakum High School.
The Honor Band program will be selected from Flourish For Wind Band by Ralph Vaughan Williams; His Honor by Henry Fillmore; Sleep by Eric Whitacre; A Longford Legend (Op. 58) by Robert Sheldon; Courtly Airs and Dances by Ron Nelson; Galop from Cheremoushky by Dmitri Shostakovich; and Vesuvius by Frank Ticheli.
Guest Conductor James Smart has a broad repertoire in wind, orchestral, and opera works and is particularly interested in promoting new music.