VGCC’s Youth Honor Band Returns for its 2024 Concert

Vance Granville-Community College is proud to host its second annual Youth Honor Band on February 1–2 at the college’s Main Campus Civic Center in Henderson. While the inaugural event in 2023 only featured musicians from local high schools, it was such a success that this year’s concert invited musicians from several local middle schools as well.

The participants, representing schools in Vance, Granville and Franklin counties, were nominated by their respective band directors for their musical talent and passion. They will gather for the first time to rehearse Thursday afternoon, reconvening Friday morning and building to a concert that evening.

The student musicians will learn new songs especially for this event. Music selections had not yet been finalized at the time of publication, but event organizers offered a preview of what songs attendees might hear: “The Tempest” (Robert W. Smith), “Bach: Two Joyous Chorales” (arr. Anne McGinty), “Military Escort march” (Harold Bennett), “American Youth Overture” (Floyd St. Clair), and “Air for Band” (Frank Erickson).

This event was planned by a committee comprised of faculty and staff from VGCC, area band directors, area school administrators, local business owners, and other community members. Brian D. Miller, VGCC music instructor and Community Band director, will lead the high school band; Sherri M. Damon, music instructor at Oxford’s Credle Elementary School, will lead the middle school band.

The concert is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 2. It is open to the public and has no charge for admission; all family, friends, and community members are encouraged to come support these talented students and the schools they represent.

Anyone interested in more information on the VGCC Honor Band or Fine Arts at Vance-Granville Community College may contact Betsy Henderson, Department Chair of Fine Arts & Humanities, at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3371.