Hart holds their annual district-wide honor band

March 4, 2023 the annual district-wide honor band concert was held at the Hart High School auditorium. The concert included performances from both the junior high school district honor band and the high school district honor band. 

“As the superintendent, I am incredibly proud of the talented, young musicians who have come together to showcase their skills and dedication to the art of music. Their hard work and commitment to excellence is a testament to the importance of music education in the Hart District,” said Superintendent Mike Kuhlman of the Hart School District.

The district honor band is a group made of the best musicians from across the district. Being in the honor band allows those musicians to play together challenging music under the guidance of highly decorated guest conductors.

“It’s an incredibly rewarding experience and you get to meet a lot of cool instrumentalists from different schools,” said Izzy Schrack, a member of the high school honor band and a student at Hart High School.

The junior high school district honor band was conducted by guest conductor Phil Mortensen. 

The junior high honor band started their section of the concert with Westridge Overture by James Barnes and arranged by Clarence Barber. The honor band then continued the concert with Gypsydance by David Holsinger, Our Kingsland Spring by Samuel Hazo and The Great Locomotive Chase by Robert W. Smith, which concluded the junior high section of the program.

Next on stage was the high school district honor band conducted by guest conductor Dr. Dwayne S. Milburn. 

The high school honor band began with The Rifle Regiment by John Phillip Sousa and then continued with In the Great Hall of Asgard by Ryan Bread as well as O Magnum Mysterium, which was composed by Morten Lauridsen and translated by H. Robert Rynolds. Lastly, the concert ended with the high school honor band’s performance of Fantasy on American Folk Songs, which was composed by the honor band’s own guest conductor Dwayne S. Milburn.

Throughout the program, several students were recognized for their musical excellence and for their dedication to their instruments. Honor band members who have been a part of the group for over four years were awarded a special plaque. A couple different scholarships were also awarded to honor band members who stood out for their dedication to their craft.

“Honor band is a fun and enjoyable experience to play with a high level group,” said Brady Davaris, a  high school honor band member and student at Hart High School.