Regional High School Musicians Play It Safe at SUU
Published: January 01, 2021 | Author: Ashley H Pollock | Read Time: 3 minutes
It’s that time of year again when Southern Utah University’s Music Department hosts the High School Honor Band. While this is an annual event, things are going to look different this year. Precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of all involved. The concert will be live-streamed with no audience on January 9, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. and can be viewed at suu.edu/sutvlive.
Students were selected by audition to rehearse and perform outstanding wind band literature under the direction of Dr. Adam Lambert, Director of Bands at Southern Utah University. Students selected for the SUU High School Band participate in two days of rehearsals and activities culminating in a concert at the end of the second day at the beautiful Heritage Center Theater in Cedar City, Utah.
Dr. Adam Lambert, Director of Bands at SUU, shared, “Students will be coming to the event in person with student safety as our top priority. There will be social distancing throughout the event and covers for brass instruments. The groups are much smaller to accommodate social distancing and efforts to remain safe. In spite of the challenges, responses remain positive and we look forward to hosting some of the strongest musicians from Utah, Nevada, and Northern Arizona.”
SUU’s Music Department is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all participants. The following are the adjustments made to ensure success for this annual event during the pandemic. This year’s festival will feature two ensembles of 45 wind players each instead of one large band. Chairs and stands will be placed six feet apart on stage and in all rehearsal spaces. Temperature checks will be done at the first rehearsal on Saturday. As mandated by the state of Utah, participants are required to wear a face mask indoors at all times, except when playing during rehearsals and performances. Bell covers for all brass and saxophone instruments will be provided. At the end of rehearsals and sectionals, musicians will wipe down their chairs and stands with provided sanitizing wipes. Hand sanitizer will be provided in each rehearsal space. Musicians are required to bring their own music or device and their own water bottle. A 15-minute break is scheduled between rehearsals to allow rooms to ventilate.
Trevor Walker, Band Director at Parowan High School who is bringing several students to the event, says, “As a teacher, the goal is for my students to learn from a world-class director like Dr. Adam Lambert and to have a few days of top tier rehearsal. It's important for students to participate in honor bands because it gives them an experience outside of their own program. Many of them are playing this level of music for the first time and it helps them grow.”
Support these talented high school musicians from the comfort and safety of your own home. For more information about the Department of Music at SUU, please visit www.suu.edu/pva/music.
About the College of Performing and Visual Arts
The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 26 academic programs including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM, BMEd) degrees in art, design, dance, music and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring nearly 800 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year and is affiliated with the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Center for Shakespeare Studies. Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.Tags: Music College of Performing and Visual Arts