Wabash, IN– The Wabash Valley Music Association’s (WVMA) Wabash County Honors Band & Choir will mark its 50th year with its performance on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at the Honeywell Center. Admission is free and open to the public; no ticket is required. In celebration of the 50-year legacy of this program, alumni will perform with the band and choir during the combined piece. A public reception with refreshments will take place in the Porter Lobby following the event. Alumni and former guest and county directors are encouraged to gather in Legacy Hall following the performance for a special reunion celebration. For more information, please visit honeywellarts.org or call the Honeywell Box Office at 260.563.1102. This concert is sponsored in part by the Howard M. Garver Wabash Valley Music Association Endowment and the Larry and Anne (Garver) Curless Endowment for Honors Band & Choir.
The Honors Band & Choir Concert uplifts the musical and artistic talent of high school students in Wabash County. The most talented high school musicians and vocalists are brought together every spring to present a public concert. Students from Northfield, Southwood, Wabash, and Manchester High Schools spend weeks rehearsing for the performance that showcases the tremendous amount of young talent in the area. This concert allows students who have excelled in music education to work and perform with professional guest conductors and directors. Honors Band & Choir broadens the students’ experience and
allows them to see how different music leaders work and convey their expectations. The WVMA provides artistic exposure and enrichment to area students through this program.
Band students will be conducted by Dr. David Blon. Dr. Blon is the Clinical Assistant Professor of Bands, primary conductor of the Concert Band, and assistant conductor of the Wind Ensemble at Purdue University. Dr. Blon received his Bachelor of Music Education (Percussion) at Slippery Rock University, his Master of Music (Conducting) at Youngstown State University, and his Doctor of Musical Arts (Wind Conducting) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. He is also active in recording
production and arranging, having served as album producer for the Youngstown State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory Wind Symphony.
Choral students will perform under the direction of Dr. Debra Lynn. Dr. Lynn is a Professor of Music, Director of Choral Organizations (Voice Study), and Conductor/Artistic Director of the Manchester Symphony Orchestra at Manchester University.
Dr. Lynn received her Doctor of Arts in Music at Ball State University, with prior degrees from Truman State University and William Jewell College, which include emphases in conducting, voice performance, and music education. She serves as guest conductor and clinician for various composer forums, choral festivals, and voice and conducting master classes throughout the U.S. Honeywell Arts & Entertainment will host an exhibit presented by the Wabash Valley Music Association to celebrate the 50th
Annual Honors Band & Choir Concert. The exhibit, titled “Celebrating a 50-Year Legacy,” will be on display from March 6 through April 8 at the Clark Gallery in the Honeywell Center.
The Clark Gallery hosts exhibits by students, amateurs, and professional artists. Visual art experiences are an important part of the Honeywell Arts & Entertainment mission of providing arts, education, and entertainment for all. Clark Gallery exhibits are made possible in part by Borders and Beyond Gallery & Framing, the Cleaning Company, Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Intrasect, Oswalt-Thomas Sales & Service, and Schlemmer Brothers Metalworks. To learn more, visit honeywellarts.org.
