Twenty Taylorville High School Band members joined select high school band members from Rochester, Litchfield, Ramsey, Hillsboro, Lincolnwood, Morrisonville, Nokomis, Pana and Central A&M High Schools at the 2023 Area Honor Band Festival. The festival was held at Pana High School on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
The select student-musicians came together for the day under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Jennifer Moder-Bell, Director of Bands at McKendree University. The ensemble rehearsed the selections: Children of the Shrine by James Swearingen, Close To The Sun by Peter Meechan, Suite of Old American Dances arranged by James Curnow and St. Louis Blues by W.C. Handy and arranged by Luther Henderson.
The festival culminated with a concert attended by relatives, friends and community members at 6:00 PM. The Area Honor Band Festival has been taking place with area high school band members since the 1970’s.
THS Area Honor Band members are, front row, l to r, Madilyn Elam, Laney Norbeck, Paige Cunnington, Natalie Cook, Erica Edwards, Marley Dively, Emma Burger, Lillie Jones and Adrian Gonzalez-Mateos. Back row, l to r, Riley Elam, Kai Albright, Carson Hefner, Evan Allen, Rhyker Wicks, Lydia Hopkins, Kylie Corso, Gavin Enlow, Brandon Hefner, Justin Champley, Tripp Pelichoff and guest conductor Dr. Jennifer Moder-Bell.