From left to right are Claflin students participating in the 12th Annual S.C. Honor Band Clinic:  Mr. Nathan Brown, Mr. Terrence Thomas,  Ms. Marissa DeBramaletta, Mr. Allen Suber, Ms. Mandy Greene, Ms. Whitley Henson and Mr. Curtis Bates.

Eight of Claflin University’s top music students have been selected to participate in Saturday’s 12^th Annual South Carolina Honor Band Clinic held in Orangeburg.

“It is a great experience for our students.  In addition to sharpening their musical skills before a large audience, they get to meet talented students from around the state,” said Dr. Richard House, director of university bands and associate professor of music at Claflin.  “It is one of the students’ favorite highlights of the year.” 

The students were nominated by Dr. House and the prestigious 100-piece band is selected based on the instrumentation needs of the band.  Over 20 colleges and universities in South Carolina are being represented this year.    Dr. House said the fact that eight Claflin students were selected this year speaks to the quality and depth of the University’s Music Department.

Two years ago, the S.C. Honor Band picked Mr. Nathan Green, a junior music performance major from Columbia, to sit as the first chair for the euphonium instrument.  Now, Mr. Green is set to play his third consecutive honor concert.  He says participating in the honor concert has allowed him to cultivate the Claflin Confidence.

“I am proud to represent Claflin,” he said.

Mr. Green noted the small classes and endless opportunities at the University.  He credited Dr. House and Dr. Mitchell Butler, director of jazz studies, for his musical growth.  Mr. Green hopes to pursue a doctorate in music education and teach at a university after graduation.

Meanwhile, Ms. Marissa DaBramaletta, a senior from Columbia majoring in music education, will make her fourth appearance with the S.C. Collegiate Honor Band on Saturday.  She said her first honor concert motivated to work harder in order to reach a high plateau of performance.

“It gives us a chance to play with a larger band and evolve our sound,” said Ms. DaBramaletta, who plans to one day .

Other Claflin students participating in the concert are: Mr. Titus Grant, Mr. Curtis Bates, Ms. Mandy Greene, Ms. Whitley Henson, Mr. Alan Suber and Mr. Terrence Thomas.

The concert is being presented by the South Carolina component of the College Band Director’s National Association and South Carolina State University.  Mr. Richard Clary, professor of music , senior band conductor and director of wind ensemble studies at Florida State University, will be the conductor for the concert.

The concert will begin Saturday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium on the campus of South Carolina State University.