McKendree Music Department Hosts Students from 10 Local Schools during Beginner Band Day
(LEBANON, Ill., February 27, 2024) – McKendree University welcomed 159 beginner band
students from 10 area elementary schools as they participated in the university’s
annual Beginner Band Day on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Participating schools included St. Rose,
Maryville Christian School, Bartelso Elementary School, Wesclin Middle School, Belle
Valley, Grigsby Intermediate School, High Mount, Sparta Lincoln School, Marissa and
Aviston Elementary School.
The annual Beginner Band Day serves as an excellent way for the university to connect with true beginners in the area and for McKendree musicians, especially music education majors, to spend time among beginners.
During the morning, beginner band students worked in small sectionals with members of McKendree’s concert band and later rehearsed two songs on stage together. After the rehearsal, these band students, their band directors and visitors were treated to McKendree’s 2024 Student Conductor and Beginning Band Day concert, in which seven music education majors conducted one musical piece each. Student conductors included Alec Blaydes of Mount Vernon, Ill.; Sean Harper of Metamora, Ill.; Lea Hoock of Waterloo, Ill.; Faith Olds of De Soto, Mo.; Jessi Riley of Anna, Ill.; Harmony Schallenberg of Godfrey, Ill.; and Riley Wuebbels of Beckemeyer, Ill.
Following the concert, the visiting band students joined the McKendree concert band onstage to play “Fanfare and March” by Michael Sweeney and “Cool Moose” by Francois Dorian.
“I was very proud of all involved in our annual Beginning Band Day, including the members of the McKendree concert bands, our student conductors, our music education majors who led the sectionals, and, of course, the beginning band members who played exceptionally well and were a wonderful addition to our McKendree music family,” said Dr. Jen Moder-Bell, associate professor of music education at McKendree University. “It is wonderful to be able to spend time connecting with our musical community!”
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