Submitted by ASU’s Department of Music
Alabama State University’s Department of Music hosted its 2023 High School Honor Band Festival February 25-26, 2023, with thirty high schools from Alabama and Georgia participating. Students from all six Montgomery area public high schools—Lee, Lanier, Jeff Davis, Booker T. Washington, Carver, and Park Crossing—also participated.
Scholarships to attend ASU were awarded to the following 12th grade students:
Mackenzie Britton (Colbert Heights High School), Lezon Miller (South Cobb High School), Dashanti Benefield (Carver High School), Joshua Walker (Lee High School), Raymond Williams (Minor High School), Caleb Bradley (Huffman High School), Kristina Britt (Lanier High School), Xandrea Wright, Jr. (Lanier High School), Za'Meria Butler (Opelika High School), Trey Marshall (Brantley High School), Hasani Griffin (Shades Valley High School), and Kelleigh Evans (Park Crossing High School).
“The Honor Band Festival has a long tradition at ASU, and I am so glad that we are able to offer this opportunity to receive additional training and scholarships for these young musicians,” said Dr. Wendy R. Coleman, dean of ASU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.
The event culminated with the Honor Band concert conducted by ASU Wind Ensemble Director, Dr. Michael Westmoreland. The concert featured the following selections: Flourish for Wind Band by Ralph Vaughn Williams, Air for Band by Frank Erickson, Two Moods by Clare Grundman, Abracadabra by Frank Ticheli, and The Thunderer March by John Philip Sousa.
“We are so proud of Dr. Westmooreland and the ASU faculty and students who helped to make the Honor Band such a success,” said Dr. Carly Johnson, chair of ASU’s Music Department.