EATON — The 2017 Preble County All-County Band concert was held on Tuesday, March 21, in the Performing Arts Center at Eaton Community Schools. The concert consisted of a performance from both middle school and high school students.
The middle school students are nominated by their local band director to participate and high school students must audition for the chance to participate. Once the students are selected, they have two school days (approximately seven hours) to rehearse with the guest conductor.
“The All-County Band was extremely fortunate to have very talented conductors this year for each band,” organizers said in a press release.
The high school band was under the direction of Patricia Meeks, retired instrumental music educator in the Shawnee Local School System where she taught high school and middle school for 36 years. Middle School Director was Dan Meeks, also a former instrumental music teacher in the Shawnee Local School District, teaching grades 5-12. Both Mr. and Mrs. Meeks are currently teaching as Artists in Residence for the Ohio Arts Council’s TeachArtsOhio initiative.
Just before the final song was performed, all seniors were recognized. The following seniors received certificates:
Eaton Senior — Mackenzie Waxler
National Trail Seniors — Josh Cook, Faith King, Alex Prichard, Sarah Penny
Preble Shawnee — Chris Allen
Tri-County North Seniors — Brett Booso, Trenton Napier, Sara Vires
Twin Valley South Seniors — Aleda Smith, Shayne Buttery
The All-County Band is coordinated by the Preble County Educational Service Center.
“Thank you to all the students that participated this year as well as all the parents and families who attended the performance. A special thank you to our local band directors: Paul Bingle and Abigail Hinson (Eaton), Alicia Norrod (National Trail), David Lewis (Preble Shawnee), Terra Moniaci (Tri-County North), and Garrett Smith (Twin Valley South,)” organizers noted.