SPENCER — North Rowan Middle School eighth-grade students Sydney Campbell and Josh Phillips were selected to participate in the South Central All District Band Clinic.
The students performed in their respective honor bands in February on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Both students auditioned in early January for the clinic along with nearly 3,000 high school and middle school band students. The program is free and open to the public.
Sydney was selected second chair baritone for the All South Central District Concert Band and Josh fourth chair tuba for the All South Central District Symphonic Band. They were the only middle school students in the Rowan-Salisbury School System selected to participate in the band clinic.
Josh and Sydney, along with North Middle classmates Terry Lark and Caitlyn Slusser, also were selected to participate in the prestigious Virginia Tech University Honors Band in January. Unfortunately, this event was canceled due to weather conditions.
The North Middle bands are directed by Keith Howe.
In addition, four North Rowan High School band students were also chosen for the Virginia Tech University Honors Band under the direction of Andrew Howe. These students used a variety of Rowan-Salisbury School System technology to prepare for the auditions, such as iPods, Finale Music Writing Program, Gaggle.net and computer generated practice solos.
North Rowan Middle School Tech Facilitator Kim Harris helps to guide teachers and students through a variety of ways to use school technology for musical applications. One example is by creating recorded videos on iBook of students performing solos.
Principal Alexis Cowan and Assistant Principals Lennetta Bartley and Meredith Williams are instrumental in integrating technology with music by making special efforts to assure students have access to portable Smart Boards and Finale Music Writing Program, among other types of technology.
Technology Teacher Tim Younts plays a key role in infusing technology in North Rowan Middle’s curriculum and special projects.