The best high school musicians from Ohio and parts of West Virginia will perform in the Thirteenth Annual Honor Band and Choir Festival Sunday at Ohio University.
About 300-500 students auditioned for the 175-200 open spots last November.
Conductors Peter Jarjisian, OU director of choral studies, and Andrew Trachsel, OU director of concert bands, personally auditioned the students.
Trachsel, who is conducting his first festival, said the personal audition process adds a level of comfort with musicians.
Because I met these students before with the auditions
I feel like I already know them Trachsel said.
In what Trachsel called a small miracle the students rehearse with the conductors for only three days before the festival begins.
The festival's program includes a mix of secular and religious music, from an Auld Lang Syne performance by the choir to a Scottish dance medley by the band. The two groups combine to close the festival with America
the Beautiful.
Jarjisian said the festival brings together students of similar talents and passions.
In their own schools
they're clearly the leaders
said Jarjisian, who has conducted in every festival. Here they are coming together and they're able to be ... with other people like themselves.
Mary Hartwick, a sophomore flutist who attends Athens High School, said she loves the challenge and camaraderie of the festival.
I love being able to play harder songs that challenge my ability
Hartwick said. Since this honor band auditions all over
you get to meet new people
like you (who) enjoy the same things you do.
Honor band flutist Elizabeth Klein is a senior from Little Miami High School near Cincinnati. Her older sister Carolyn, who attends OU as a music major, was an honor band member. Klein is also considering attending OU.
I get to see the professors doing what they do best
and feel more comfortable with the college as a whole
Klein said.
