Charlotte High School Symphony Band student musicians strive to maintain a ninety-year legacy of excellence in this mid-Michigan community where band is bigger than football is in Texas.
“Being in a Charlotte band, you have a reputation to uphold, and we're aware of that. So we do feel the pressure. It's something that's very important to us,” says Ben, percussion senior. He and Kirstin, french horn junior, are among the latest in an “unending chain of musicians” that stretches back to 1924. “There is really a connection from the past generations of band members, to the band members of today,” says Kirstin.
Today’s students prepare to compete for top honors at the annual State Festival of the Michigan State Band and Orchestra Association under the direction of Jerry Rose, in his fourth year as director of bands for Charlotte Public Schools.
Includes full preview performances of “The Gallant Seventh” by John Philip Sousa, “William Byrd Suite” by Gordon Jacob and “Symphonic Dance No. 3” by Clifton Williams, recorded in WKAR Studio A at Michigan State University. Hosted by WKAR’s Peter Whorf.
Watch it now at video.wkar.org
EXTRA: William Byrd Suite | Charlotte HS Symphony Band
Ep. 102 first air 10/11/14