Pasadena ISD’s Dobie High School Wind Ensemble was recently invited to perform at the National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Ind. Feb. 27-March 1, 2008.

“This is a tremendous honor for the students and directors of the Dobie High School band, as well as Pasadena ISD,” said the district’s director of fine arts Linda Fletcher. “What a magnificent tribute on a national level to the exemplary work done by these wonderful directors and students.”

The Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, an event of the Music for All National Festival presented by Yamaha, is one of the premier educational events for America’s high school concert bands and percussion ensembles.

Since its inception in 1992, the National Concert Band Festival has invited more than 180 bands and percussion ensembles from across America to perform. The festival offers concert performances and clinics, scheduled observations, master classes, social events for students and directors, an awards banquet and a director familiarization trip.

To be invited, groups must endure a rigorous audition process. The band had to submit an unedited audio recording of 12-20 minutes of their performance along with an application fee. The audio recording displayed the ensemble’s technical proficiency as well as demonstrated their musical expression and artistry. The director must also list two prominent music educators as references who have worked with or have heard the ensemble perform during the past year.

The team of evaluators and clinicians include leading conductors and music educators. All auditioning bands receive recorded and written critiques from the evaluation committee. Evaluators recommend the ensembles that demonstrate an exemplary level of excellence to receive an invitation to perform at the festival.

“I am thrilled for the Dobie band members and directors, and I know they are proud of being recognized for their talent and hard work by such a prestigious national organization,” said Fletcher. “Performing in Indianapolis will be an honor they will remember for the rest of their lives.”