Southmont to Host the 45th Annual Indiana Bandmasters Association All-Region Honor Band

Southmont Sr. High School will host the Central West site of the 45th Annual Indiana Bandmasters Association All-Region Honor Band on Nov. 16-17. Southmont is one of 15 Indiana sites that will host an IBA event. Montgomery County is represented by nine students this year from all three school districts.

Selected student musicians from 26 area junior high and high schools will be featured, under the direction of guest conductor Rick Wagoner. The 107-piece ensemble will rehearse together on-site for two days, followed by a performance on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. (EST) in the Southmont High School Auditorium. Admission is free.

“We are excited to welcome so many talented musicians in grades 7, 8, and 9 from across the state,” said Elizabeth Newnum, Director of Bands at Southmont Jr.-Sr. High School. “The All-Region Honor Band is a great opportunity for students to perform alongside their peers, and work closely with highly respected music educators and conductors. We’re thrilled to have Mr. Wagoner join us for the weekend, formerly from Avon Community School Corporation.”

Participating schools include: 

 

About Rick Wagoner:

Rick Wagoner is currently in his sixth year as a District Manager with Paige’s Music located in Indianapolis, Ind. Before starting a second career with Paige’s, Rick taught for 30 years - most recently serving 21 years as a Band Director and 19 years as Department Chair with the Avon Community School Corporation in Avon, Indiana. Prior to Avon, he served as Director of Bands at Belzer Middle School in Lawrence Township and John Marshall Middle School in the Indianapolis Public Schools.

Mr. Wagoner is a member of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia professional music fraternity and the National Band Association.  He has participated in the CIESC Teacher Leadership Academy and is listed in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers." He has been selected as an “Unsung Hero” by Fox 59 and has a chapter written about him in Charthouse publication’s “Schools of Fish!” by Phillip Strand. Professional performance affiliations for Mr. Wagoner include the Heartland Big Band, The Park Avenue Band, the Indianapolis Brass Choir, Indianapolis Civic Theatre, The Jazz Torino, The Westwinds Big Band, The New Ventures Big band, Blue Thunder Entertainment and Kentucky Kingdom Amusement Park.