West Virginia University will host its 34th Annual Invitational High School Honor Bands event during Feb. 14-16 at the Creative Arts Center.

Approximately 375 student musicians, representing more than 100 high schools in West Virginia and several surrounding states, will participate. They are recommended by their high school band directors and selected on the basis of their ability and accomplishments.

The students will audition Thursday evening and rehearse for two days before presenting the annual Honor Bands Concert, at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre at the Creative Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Honor Bands event is hosted by WVU Director of Bands John Hendricks and associate director Jay Drury. Many of the high school band directors also accompany their students to the event, which serves as a workshop and observation opportunity for area music teachers.

“Much of the success of our Honor Bands is due to the outstanding guest conductors who bring their talents to Morgantown each year,” Hendricks said. “We are pleased to announce that our conductors this year will be Stephen Pratt, director of bands at Indiana University, Bloomington; Jonathan Waters, director of the Marching and Athletic Bands at The Ohio State University; and Michael Luley, director of bands at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Virginia.”

As part of the Honor Band Weekend activities, the WVU Wind Symphony will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15, in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre. This concert, a ticketed event, will also feature the guest conductors for the WVU Invitational Honor Bands event.

For more information about the WVU Invitational High School Honor Bands event, contact the WVU Band Office at (304) 293-4381.

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CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4841 ext. 3108, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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