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Band working toward Seattle trip

The ringing of school bells may be a few days away but the Rising Starr Middle School Symphonic Band has been working hard for a while.

In addition to private lessons on their instruments and individual practice sessions, the young musicians have been hard at work washing cars, looking for sponsors, and getting a jump on fundraising season. The students have also hit the streets selling pizza kits to fund a fabulous fall trip that will take them all the way to Seattle.

The Symphonic Band has been invited to perform at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle in November. This is a tremendous honor for a middle school band and recognition of the Rising Starr band program under the direction of Steve Tyndall.

The group of 75 seventh- and eighth-graders will fly to Seattle Nov. 16 and return Nov. 19. On Nov. 18, the group will perform for a group of middle and high school band directors from all over the West Coast. Only three middle school bands have been invited to perform at the clinic, the other two being from Texas.

According to Tyndall, the chairperson of the clinic heard last year's Symphonic Band performance at the Midwestern International Band Clinic in Chicago and invited the group to perform in Seattle without having to submit an audition tape.

Another exciting aspect of the trip for the band is the chance to perform an original piece of music by composer Sam Hazo, a personal friend of Tyndall's. Although Hazo is booked for commissions for the next 10 years, he was able to provide a piece that Tyndall feels is just right for the ability level of this band. The Rising Starr Middle School PTO is sponsoring the commission of the piece.

The Rising Starr Middle School band program has participated in several prestigious competitions and performances in past years. Their travels have taken them to Chicago, the Southeastern Conductor's Conference at the University of Southern Mississippi, the Georgia Music Educator's Association in Savannah and the University of Georgia Middle School Festival.

“This is the strongest group we've ever had,” said Tyndall. “Each section is strong from top to bottom. The trip is going to be a lot of fun. And as always, we solicit the community's help.”