McLean High School Band To Perform At Prestigious Festival

From the McLean High School Band Parents Association: The McLean High School Chamber Winds has been invited to perform at the 2018 Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha, the nation’s most prestigious festival for scholastic musical ensembles. The 27th annual Festival will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 15-17, 2018.

The McLean High School Chamber Winds is under the direction of Deidra Denson, Associate Director of Bands, and was selected to perform by a panel of esteemed music educators and conductors, by blind recorded audition.

“Our acceptance into the festival is especially meaningful given that the chamber program has only been in existence for three years,” said Denson.

Last year, the MHS Chamber Winds was invited to perform at both the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meetings, at which the McLean High School Marching Band was officially recognized for its 2016 US Bands Championship first place finish.

Denson added, “One of the distinguishing characteristics of chamber music is that each person is the sole player on any given part. In other words, every student is a soloist. There is basically no way to cover up a mistake, therefore, the level of achievement the kids strive for is very high.”

She went on to say, “I am beyond proud that we have a group of students at McLean who are willing and able to showcase their musical abilities in such an exposed way.”

The students have been working diligently for several months to perfect their individual and ensemble skills. In January, the group participated in a mini-camp with specialists on their instruments. Chamber Wind students also had the fortunate opportunity to perform in a masterclass with Alex Klein, Principal Oboe Emeritus of the Chicago Symphony. “I have asked a lot of the kids this year and they have really risen to the occasion,” said Denson.

McLean High School Chamber Winds is one of 71 high school and middle school chamber ensemble, choir, orchestra, concert band, and percussion ensembles from across the nation selected to perform at the 2018 Festival. They will perform in concert, be evaluated by renowned music educators, and participate in master classes and special events.

This accomplishment comes on the heels of the McLean High School Band being awarded the 2017 Sudler Flag of Honor by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

Festival and ticket information will be available here, or by calling 800-848-2263.

Image courtesy of the McLean High School Band:

(Image 1, clockwise order) McLean High School Chamber Wind Ensemble: Sidnea Strelser, Caroline Brunner, Emily Simons, Anna Gamboa, Stephanie Manning, Christina Savory, Sohee Kim, Jessie Friedman, Ryan Woody, Sarah Bonforte, Kevin Jiang, Reagan Lumme, Jaeson Jun, Nathan Zhu, Sarah Levy, Maia Williams

(Image 2) Deidra Denson, Associate Director of Bands