College Park High School wind ensemble performs at Midwest Clinic in Chicago

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Just when marching band was winding down, band students at College Park High School were increasing their rehearsal time in preparation for the great honor of performing at the world’s largest instrumental music education conference, The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. After submitting several tapes last spring, band director Charlotte Royall received the exciting news that the woodwind choir was selected as one of the 40 music groups from around the world to perform at the conference in December of 2014. The entire Wind Ensemble was also invited to be a rehearsal lab band, where University of Texas director Dr. Robert Carnochan demonstrated the latest teaching techniques in an open rehearsal format.


Seventy-six students, directors and chaperones made the six day trip December 15-20. The woodwind choir and ensembles performed 10 pieces, mostly new publications, for an audience of over 500 people. Several of the composers who were in attendance at the performance were recognized by Royall. One composer, Clifton Jones, recently dedicated his latest composition to the CP Band. Just last week, another composer, Pierre La Plante, has asked that his new clarinet choir piece be performed and recorded by the school’s clarinet ensemble.

“It was such a great honor for our band to be selected, especially since it is very rare for such a young program,” head director Royall said. “All of our groups played beautifully, and the audience was very impressed with the level at which our students performed.”

While in Chicago, the students also attended a performance of the Chicago Symphony, visited the Navy Pier and also the Museum of Science and Industry, heard the Navy Band perform, and had ample time to visit the conference’s many exhibits and performances, including the Oak Ridge percussion ensemble.

“I really loved when we were at the convention and got to walk around and see booths upon booths full of instruments and music,” said senior Abbie Williams. “It was interesting to see not only all the instruments they had but also to just listen to all the musicians who had come from all over the world playing around on unique instruments that you probably wouldn't have another opportunity to play elsewhere. Overall the entire trip was an amazing experience from a musical side and from a traveling side! I'm very glad I had the opportunity to go.”

Founded in Chicago over 60 years ago, the~Midwest Clinic is an annual winter music conference that provides professional development opportunities for an international audience of more than 17,0000 music educators, students, and professionals. Over the years, the Midwest Clinic has focused on bringing music directors into contact with not only the best published music, but also with new and established teaching techniques, and the latest products and services for the music educator.~Each music industry conference features performances by outstanding bands and symphonies from all 50 states and over 30 foreign countries.

“Seeing such excitement on the faces of our talented students and hearing the applause of the hundreds of audience members makes me proud to be from a district that clearly supports music and arts in its schools,” said band parent and chaperone Kerri Hakala. “Our directors put so much energy into fostering a love of music in their students. The College Park Band program has certainly brought international attention to The Woodlands.”