High School Honor Band Highlights Minnesota-Associated Composers

This January, students from across the Midwest gathered to celebrate Minnesota-associated composers at the annual University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Bands High School Honor Band Weekend. Works by five composers were featured on the program: Erika Svanoe, Shelley Hanson, Shruthi Rajaeskar, Timothy Mahr, and School of Music Faculty Member Sowah Mensah.

96 students from various locations including Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, participated in the honor band. 47 different schools were represented among the participants. Every year, the honor band gives students a chance to experience the University of Minnesota - TC School of Music. Jerry Luckhardt, Associate Director of Bands, highly praised the student participants. “They brought care, focus, and attention to the weekend.”

Band directors love the honor band, and what the opportunity provides for their students. “This is one of my favorite honor bands to recommend to students because of the way that they get to meet so many of the faculty and staff at the University, ” a band director shared, “this is a true strength of the program.” Another stated that in their opinion, the honor band is the “best of all of the college/university honor band opportunities available to my students.”

Director of Bands Emily Threinen developed this year’s program, entitled Minnesota Portraits. Threinen worked diligently to bring the composers to campus so they could interact with students.

“Each piece of music performed was written by a living composer who is connected to our wonderful state,” Thrienen explained. “Each composer was invited to work directly with the band to learn about their piece of music and collaborate with the university faculty conductors. Connecting local living composers with local talented high school instrumental performers created an exciting energy all weekend long!” One student raved about the unique experience, noting that they “really enjoyed getting to meet the actual composers!!!”

During the performance, composer Rajasekar spoke about how participating in ensembles like honor band helped nurture her love of music as a young person. Hanson remarked how wonderful the students were to work with and how incredibly hard they worked. Mensah was pleased with his experience with the band and also called them incredible.

Parents couldn’t hear enough about the weekend from their students. One parent noted “my child came home floating, full of music and new friends, and eager to learn more about composing. (After a nap!)” Another reported their son enjoyed reconnecting with friends he made at last year’s honor band, and liked playing with others at a similar ability to him. A third parent said their student felt “inspired to keep working hard” and believes that programs like this are what “the future of music needs.”

Directors and parents can learn more about the high school honor band program by visiting this link.