Local students perform in Tri-State Honor Bands Festival

Students from Esko, Carlton, Cloquet and Wrenshall were among the region’s top high school musicians to gather Oct. 20 at the University of Wisconsin Superior for a day of advanced skill clinics and performances during the annual Tri-State Honor Bands Festival. Local students included Cameron Salmi of Esko; Haley Lunde, Phil McPhail, Megan Nelson, Justin Tischer and Mitchell Houle, all of Carlton; John Roemhildt, Carly Ritchie, Tim Franklin, Abbi Parenteau and Luke Heine, all of Cloquet; and Dustin Shelton, Brittany O’Brien, and Brianna Wolf of Wrenshall.

More than 170 Honor Band students spent the day working with UW-Superior faculty and guest musicians Dr. Cort McClaren, noted percussion instructor and author, and Aaron Perrine, composer and educator.

The musicians capped the day with a public concert featuring musicians from 32 high schools in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan along with UW-Superior’s Symphonic Band. Guest soloist was Dr. Nathan Daughtrey on vibraphone.

UW-Superior’s Music Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and is well known for preparing students for careers as music teachers and professional performers. The UW-Superior Honor Bands Festival is part of the department’s ongoing effort to offer additional learning and performance opportunities to young musicians throughout the region.

Tags: education, music, esko, carlton, cloquet, wrenshall