After one year of not having a honor band for our conference junior high instrumentalists
(grades 7 & 8) I decided that this needed to be started up again. Teaching
at Bayard Jr-Sr HS, I did just that. I am fortunate enough to have been able
to keep Western NE Junior High Honor Band on the same consecutve date each
year. It has been always held on the third Friday of April. For the first year
(April 2002), I invited our conference schools (7) only, and had about 60 students
under the direction of Mr. Michael Koch (Scottsbluff MS). The second year (April
2003), I invited schools from the entire panhandle, and had about 90 students
under the direction of Mr. John Fabela (Sterling, CO HS). The third year (April
2004), I invited all schools from North Platte (Hwy. 83) to the Wyoming border.
I had over about 200 musicians involved, so I created a 7th Grade Honor Band
and an 8th Grade Honor Band. The 7th grade was under the direction of Mr. Dave
Rischling (Allince MS). And the 8th grade was under the direction of Mr. Nathaniel
Johnson (Western NE Community College - Scottsbluff). For the fourth year (April
2005), I had about 215 young musicians involved, thus I used the same format;
one honor band made up of 7th grade musicians and one made up of 8th grade
musicians. The 7th grade was, once again, under the direction of Mr. Dave Rischling
(Alliance MS). And the 8th grade was under the direction of Mr. Ken Greiner
(Kearney, MO -retired). I did my student teaching under Ken at Rock Port, MO;
so it was wonderful to host him as my guest clinician! I also want to thank
Bayard Public Schools and all of the directors of Western NE who made this
possible with their hard work and attendance.
Last school year I moved to North Platte St. Patrick's Jr-Sr HS, mainly to
live closer to my own daughter's, who reside in Elm Creek. So I was very pleased
when my new administration gave me permission to continue this honor band here
at St. Pat's. I invited all schools from Kearney-West to the Wyoming border
again. Out of over 370 nominations, I selected just over 280 young musicians,
from 30 schools for the two honor bands. Once again, the 7th grade was under
the direction of Mr. Dave Rischling (Alliance MS), and the 8th grade was under
the direction of Mr. Rock Skinner (Ogallala HS -retired). The following schools
attended last year: Alliance, Ansley, Arapahoe, Arcadia, Arnold, Arthur Co.,
Bassett, Brady, Cambridge, Dundy Co., Elm Creek, Eustis-Farnam, Garden Co.,
Hayes Center, Hershey, Hitchcock Co., Hyannis, Leyton, Litchfield, McPherson
Co., Morrill, Mullen, NP St. Pat's, Ogallala, Sidney, Southwest, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller,
Sutherland, Thedford, and Wallace. Thanks to all of these schools' directors
for an outstanding musical experience for all involved.
Michael Knake, Band Director
North Platte St. Patrick's Jr-Sr HS