Concert Band Update

There is a lot happening at Lancaster High School with our Concert Bands. Band members have been working extremely hard to prepare for the upcoming District Adjudicated Event on March 4. Here are a few updates regarding what is happening in the preparation process.

On Saturday, February 18, the Freshman Band had the great opportunity to perform at Ohio Christian University in Circleville for their annual concert band clinic. The band performed all three contest selections and was given an hour clinic by two of Ohio’s most prestigious music educators. Afterwards, band members were treated to pizza, pop, and some time in the campus game room.

This week, on Wednesday, February 22, Symphonic Band will be visited during our 9th period rehearsal by the composer of one of the pieces we have been studying. Andrew Boysen, Jr., composer of the piece Tricycle, will be in Central Ohio for a few short days. One of his stops will be at Lancaster High School. Dr. Boysen is an internationally-known composer and is a professor at University of New Hampshire. We would like to thank the Ohio State University School of Music and Rettig Music for their help in making this visit happen for our students!

Thursday evening, February 23, is our annual Winter Band Concert. The concert will begin at 7:30pm in the LHS Auditorium. Freshman Band and Symphonic Band will both present their contest selections. We will also hear two ensembles that performed a few weeks ago at Solo and Ensemble Adjudicated Event, the Percussion Ensemble and the Saxophone Sextet.

Both bands have been looking ahead to OMEA District Large Group Adjudicated Event on Saturday, March 4. As in years past, we will be performing at Teays Valley High School. Freshman Band will perform at 8:00am and Symphonic Band at 2:55pm. Due to the performances being several hours apart, the bands will not be traveling at this same time this year. Freshman Band will have an early morning report time and will arrive back to LHS late morning. Symphonic Band will report late morning and arrive back later in the afternoon.

Lastly, in preparation for these events, all band members are required to demonstrate proficiency on all contest selections before the performances. Please be sure your band member is well-prepared and creates some time in their schedule to pass off their music to a director. The band room will be open on Monday (Presidents’ Day) from 1-4pm for anyone who needs to pass off music or would like extra help. Great bands are a result of great individual musicians!

Ben Factor
Director of Bands,
Lancaster High School