Alexandra Cowand, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wes Cowand of Clinton, and Katherine Gutierrez, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gutierrez of Clinton, participated in the 22nd Annual Carolina Band Festival at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro, recently.

They were members of the 9-10 Grade Honors Band consisting of students from a six-state area that includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, West Virginia and Virginia.

Alexandra and Katherine were selected from over 300 students who submitted applications and CD’s.

Dr. Sue Samuels, was the guest conductor for the Concert Honor Band Grade 9-10. She is the Director of Bands at The University of Alabama – Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. Smith worked with the students Thursday evening, all day Friday and Saturday morning.

In addition, on Friday afternoon, Alexandra attended the horn clinic given by Dr. Abigail Pack and Katherine attended the clarinet clinic given by Dr. Kelly Burke and Dr. Anthony Taylor, members of the UNCG School of Music Faculty.

The UNC-GH Band Festival concluded Saturday afternoon with a concert performance by both the 9-10 Grade Honors Band and the 11-12 Grade Honors Band. Cowand and Gutierrez are students at Clinton High School and our members of the Clinton High School band program. Both students said they enjoyed the experience of being members of the UNC-G Band Festival and look forward to participating in other honor band programs in North Carolina.