MUSIC
3 IRC SCHOOLS MAKE
IT TO MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Vero Beach High School Symphony Band is one of three performing groups representing the school at the Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis.
Young muscians to compete on national stage
64
Trends In Education
BY WILLI MILLER
School bands from around the country, including four
from Florida, are heading for Indianapolis to play in
the invitational Music for All National Festival. Three
of the four Florida schools that made the cut are in Indian
River County: Vero Beach High School, Sebastian River
High School and Gifford Middle School.
Vero Beach High School director of Bands James Sammons,
58, is particularly proud of his musicians. “We have three
performing groups attending: two concert bands and our
percussion ensemble. We are the only school ... with three
performing groups,” he says.
The VBHS associate director of bands, Colbert Page Howell
Jr., 33, is chairman of District 133 Florida Bandmasters Association.
He describes the festival experience as an opportunity
for students and the band directors to mingle with and
learn from professional musicians and conductors. “Additionally,
the bands will participate in clinics with a nationally
renowned band conductor ... and perform in a world-class
concert hall,” he says.
Sammons, director of Bands at VBHS for more than 30
years, was selected for 2013 induction into the Florida Bandmasters
Association Hall of Fame. Howell has been at the
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