Alex Shirer - Band Wonder!

Local Student to Represent Tennessee In Music for All’s 2015 Honor Band of America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –Alec Shirer, a JR at Cleveland High School, will join other outstanding musicians from across the nation as part of Music for All’s 2015 Honor Band of America. Shirer was selected from numerous applicants from across the nation for membership in this prestigious honor ensemble. Shirer is the son of Woody and Julie Shirer and the grandson of Earl and Edna Moorhouse. He is a member of the Cleveland High School Marching, Concert and Jazz Bands under the direction of Jim Burton and Alex Denton.

Alec plays all percussion instruments and was selected by audition to rehearse and perform in concert as part of the Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha, March 11-14 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Honor Band of America students will first come together, from 23 states representing 65 high schools, Wednesday, March 11 and will perform in concert Saturday, March 14, at 8:00 p.m., at Clowes Memorial Hall, located on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Shirer has other honor ensemble credits as well. In October 2013, he qualified for The National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), which awarded him the opportunity to spend several days rehearsing with top high school students from across the nation.

In 2015, he qualified as a participant in the All State Blue Band for the third consecutive year. During each year of his participation, Shirer has been designated one of the top three percussionists in East Tennessee by the All-East Blue Band; furthermore, in 2014, he was named the band’s top percussionist.

Recently, Shirer was honored with acceptance into the All-State Orchestra, which is to be held in April.

In addition to his accomplishments in percussion, Shirer plays piano and has been selected to the All-East Jazz Clinic as the top pianist in East Tennessee. He is currently awaiting the results of his audition for All-State Jazz.

The Honor Band of America is a national ensemble that will rehearse and perform under the direction of Kevin Sedatole, Professor of Music, Director of Bands and Chair of the Conducting Area at Michigan State University. Joseph Lulloff, one of the foremost saxophonists of today, Yamaha Performing Artist and Professor of Saxophone and Chair of the Woodwinds Area at Michigan State University will join the Honor Band of America as a guest artist.

The Honor Band of America members are selected by recorded audition, evaluated by leading music educators. “To be selected for membership in this elite national ensemble is a great achievement and honor,” says Eric Martin, Music for All President and CEO. “The 2015 Honor Band of America members are ambassadors of America’s music programs, as well as their states, schools and communities.”

The Music for All National Festival includes the National Concert Band Festival, the Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival, the Chamber Music National Festival, the Orchestra America National Festival and the Middle School National Music Festival, all taking place simultaneously in major venues throughout Indianapolis. In addition to the many performance and audience opportunities, students at the Music for All National Festival participate in Master Classes taught by some of the leading music instructors in the country, as well as a motivational sessions and social events. In addition to the Jazz Band of America, the Festival includes two other honor ensembles, the Honor Band of America and the Honor Orchestra of America. In its 24th year, the Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha is an annual program of Music for All, one of the nation’s largest and most influential organizations in support of active music making, headquartered in Indianapolis.

A full schedule of Festival ensemble concerts, times and locations is available at www.musicforall.org/festival, or for more information call 800-848-BAND (2263).

About Music for All Celebrating it’s 40th Anniversary in 2015, Music for All (MFA) is one of the nation’s largest and most influential organizations in support of active music making. Since 1975, MFA, through its Bands of America and Orchestra America programs, has been a destination and set the standard for scholastic music ensemble performance and music education advocacy. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization, MFA’s mission is to create, provide and expand positively life-changing experiences through music for all. MFA’s vision is to be a catalyst to ensure that every child in America has access and opportunity for active music-making in their scholastic environment. MFA’s programs include 20+ annual events, including the Bands of America Grand National Championships and Regional Championships for marching bands, the Music for All Summer Symposium camp for students and teachers, and the Music for All National Festival.

Music for All Sponsors

Music for All’s efforts are supported through sponsorships, including current partnerships with National Presenting Sponsor, Yamaha Corporation of America; Official Uniform Sponsor, Fred J. Miller, Inc.; Official Student Travel Partner, Music Travel Consultants; Corporate Sponsors: U.S. Army, Wenger Corporation, Texas Dairy Queen®, Visit Indy and the City of Indianapolis, Vic Firth Company and Zildjian; Strategic Advocacy Partner, NAMM; Associate Sponsors: Vandoren, Remo, Inc., Director’s Showcase International, Woodwind & Brasswind and Delivra. Music for All is also supported by the Indiana Arts Commission, Arts Council of Indianapolis, the Ball Brothers Foundation, George and Frances Ball Foundation, and Lilly Endowment Inc.