Honor Band Success

Goodwell, Okla. — The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Honor Band (OIHB) was held January 16-17, 2019 at the Doubletree Hotel and Convention Center in Tulsa during the Oklahoma Music Educators Association (OMEA) Convention. Oklahoma Panhandle State University was represented by four students in the honor band.

Under the direction of Indiana University Band Director Dr. Rodney Dorsey, the OIHB is an honor band for students who are currently enrolled in college classes. The ensemble was selected from over 150 students nominated by their band directors from 15 Oklahoma colleges and universities.

Panhandle State Music Director Darla Lewis commented, “This is such a valuable learning experience for our students. They get to play in a top tier ensemble with musicians from all over Oklahoma directed by a nationally known conductor. They always come away from this experience excited and rejuvenated to complete the year.”

Once students are accepted, they must audition to see what chair they will be in the band. Students generally receive audition music about a month before the event and then they must prepare to perform the music in front of three to four judges at the beginning of the two-day event. Once all the chairs are selected, the rehearsals start and continue through the day and into part of the next day.

The concert was held at 2 p.m. on Thursday January 17th. The group performed four different pieces called Lost Vegas, La Procession, Pale Blue on Deep, and Dos Danzas.

The students who participated were Tyler Pfrehm (B flat clarinet), Maxine Henderson (B flat clarinet), Luis Morales (tuba), and Carlie Murley (trumpet). Murley earned the highest chair of the Panhandle State students and was awarded fourth chair out of 14 trumpets.

Murley commented, “Being able to be a part of an ensemble with such a high level of musicianship is a very humbling experience. Not only do you get to work with new and different directors, you get to be a part of a 150-member band with musicians who will only encourage you and not knock you down.”

She added, “For me, this event is life changing. I cannot say enough good things about this, and the amount of benefits you gain are unbelievable. My peers and I work very hard at what we do, and it is always good to see our hard work pay off in an event like this.”