2/3/03

Meredith Brazzell,

AUBURN UNIVERSITY BANDS TO HOST HONOR BAND FESTIVAL

AUBURN -- Auburn University will host the 12th Annual Auburn Honor Band Festival this weekend (Feb. 7-9), with participants from Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana.

"This will be an exciting weekend of concerts, clinics, and rehearsals," says Johnnie Vinson, director of bands at AU. "Our 11th Honor Band Festival was a great success last year, and we expect the quality of this year's bands to be even better."

About 400 participants were selected to attend the festival, based on nearly 1,000 nominations received from high school band directors. Players were selected based on their musical accomplishments and their directors' recommendations.

Following placement auditions when they arrive in Auburn, the high school musicians will be divided into three bands. These groups will be conducted by the staff of the AU Bands including Vinson; Rick Good, associate director of AU Bands; and Troy Breaux, assistant director of AU Bands.

The festival's special guest conductor will be composer James Barnes of the University of Kansas. Barnes will conduct one of his compositions with each of the bands and will host a special "meet the composer" session for the participants.

A highlight of the festival will be a Saturday evening concert by the AU Symphonic and Concert Bands. It will be at 8 p.m. in the Student Activities Building.

The Festival will conclude by featuring the participants in a Grand Finale Concert in the Student Activities Building at 1 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 9). There is no admission for either concert, and the public is invited to attend.

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CONTACT: Vinson, 334/844-4166.