The students raised their instruments as Band Director Jeremy Ford began conducting the first of ten songs the Wind Symphony would perform during their concert at the 2011 Midwest Band Clinic held at the McCormick building in Chicago, Illin. on Dec 15, 2011.
“For high school bands this performance is like winning the Superbowl. If every country in the world competed for the Superbowl,” said senior tenor saxophone Sarah Zimmerman. “It was such an honor to get to go and play with the best of the best!”
When Mr. Ford first interviewed for the position of band director, he asked what was the best place the band could reach and Mr. Ford brought up Midwest. After applying for three straight years, the band was finally accepted.
“I screamed like a girl and rushed to tell the principals and anyone I could,” said Mr. Ford.
To tell the students that they would get the opportunity to attend Midwest, Principal Danny Brackett called the band students down to the seminar room. As he was getting ready to tell the students what they had achieved, he could see the nervous faces of every student.
Each one thought they had done something awful to get in trouble.
The surprise was announced. Everyone cheered. Summer auditions for Midwest were held to see which students would go. After knowing which members would go, they started practicing about 12 hours a week (not including individual practice time).
Finally the band headed to Chicago to show just how good they all are on Dec. 13 at 5:30 a.m.
“If there’s a best of the best out there, you go for it,” said Mr. Ford. “That’s just who we are.”
Midwest was held Dec. 14-16 and included several performances, clinics and exhibitors from other schools and band located around the world. The band arrived at the Sheraton Hotel and towers at 5: 30 p.m.
On the morning of Dec. 14 the students arrived at the Midwest Clinic to their rehearsal for the big concert. Afterward they enjoyed the other schools performances and wandered around clinics. For dinner everyone enjoyed Andy’s Jazz Club, a popular Chicago restaurant.
On Dec. 15 the students had a morning of shopping and relaxation at the Water Tower Place and the “Magnificent Mile” also known as Michigan Avenue. That evening would be their big performance.
Each band received a performance time with the top two high school bands performing at night.
“Performing was exhilarating! All the work we put into it and all the excitement of knowing that we deserve to be there made me feel confident in our abilities,” said sophomore alto saxophone Anna Hudgeons. “We went on stage ready to play and have the time of our life!”
The Wind Symphony was allowed one of the night performances, naming them one of the top two bands out of thousands who applied for Midwest. The band of 65 students included seniors, juniors, sophomores and four freshmen (two from Southwest Junior High and two from Central Junior High).
At the performance Mr. Ford was given a plague stating “For an outstanding performance at the 65th annual Midwest Clinic.”
“It was a great way to learn and grow as a band,” said senior percussion Alex Ross.
Since 1946 the Midwest Band Clinic has met in December in Chicago. According to the Midwest Clinic website, the opportunity for international bands to attend was opened in 1986. Only five bands are accepted into the clinic after months of sending in three year’s worth of CD’s of everything the band has played, programs from concerts, two pieces of current music, a DVD of the director conducting, how many students made All-State, and a general history the band.
Only three bands from Arkansas have attended Midwest before, Central High School from Helena West-Helena in 1960, Pine Bluff Central High School from Pine Bluff in 1964, and Springdale High School in 1993.
“The Midwest Band Clinic is known by everyone in this profession,” said Mr. Ford. “It’s known throughout the world.”
The cost of the event started at around $600 but with the help of fundraisers such as the car wash and selling chocolate, the cost for each student was reduced. The school even loaned the band money, which is still being paid band through more fundraisers.
“Everyone in the school helped out so much! The teachers understood and thanks to them for not slashing my tires for keeping their students so busy,” said Mr. Ford.
Although the band can’t apply again for five years, Mr. Ford still hopes to go back again in the future. They would be the first band in Arkansas to make a return trip to the event.
