Weston Hoffman, son of Rory and Paula Hoffman, and Landon Hergert, son of Danny and Donna Hergert, have been traveling the last few weeks and the next few weeks, to multiple honor band events. Plainview Instructor Wynter Fulsaas has directed the Pirate members and help with their auditions. On January 22, Hoffman attended the 60th annual Hastings College Honor Band.
The Hastings College Honor Band and Choir (HHBC) festival is the longest-running high school music honor ensembles sponsored by a college in Nebraska and features some of the best high school musical talent throughout the region. This year, 159 students were selected from Nebraska, Colorado and South Dakota — with 99 selected to be part of the choir and 60 selected for band.
The pair also attended the Wayne State Honor Band on Saturday January 27th. The Festival of Honor Bands takes place the last Saturday of January each year and consists of multiple honor bands for high school and junior high (students in grades 6, 7, and 8) musicians. The bands are comprised of students from Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota who come together for a full day of rehearsals culminating in a late afternoon concert.
UNK Honor Band Weston Hoffman also traveled to The University of Nebraska – Kearney on Monday, Jan. 29 for the UNK Honor Band & Choral Clinic. The event features performances from three band ensembles and four choral groups, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the 6,000-seat UNK Health & Sports Center.
Quad State Honor Band Hergert and Hoffman will also be traveling to Quad State Honor Band festival held on the University of South Dakota –Vermillion campus on February 2-3. After rehearsals and performances as a guest on Friday, Feb. 2, the band members attend a masterclass with USD staff on Saturday, Feb. 3 and then more rehearsal before a Festival Finale Concert in
Aalfs Auditorium that will be open to the public.
The Annual Quad State Honor Band Festival brings together the finest high school musicians from the quad state region. Students selected to participate will have the opportunity to work with USD Director of Symphonic Bands Dr. Bethany Amundson as well as guest conductor, USD alumnus and 2023 South Dakota Bandmasters Young Band Director Award Winner James Stueckrath.