Lee University’s School of Music will host the 2024 Honor Band Weekend, bringing together over 120 talented high school musicians from 29 high schools across four states. The event will culminate in a performance by two Honor Bands on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. in Pangle Hall. 

Honor Band provides high school students with the opportunity to develop their musical skills while working with experienced clinicians. This year’s Honor Bands will perform a selection of pieces by composers like Gustav Holst, John Philip Sousa, and David Holsinger. 

Dr. Josh Pace, director of bands and assistant professor of music education at Lee, and Dr. Mark Bailey, director of Symphonic Band and professor of music, will serve as clinicians for this year’s Honor Band.  

Pace joined the School of Music faculty this fall where he directs the Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in music education. Before coming to Lee, he served as the band and orchestra director at Omaha Northwest High School and a doctoral conducting associate at the University of Florida.  

“I am honored to serve as one of the clinicians for the 2024 Lee University Honor Band,” said Pace. “I am beyond blessed to have followed the incredible legacy of David and Winona Holsinger, as well as Mr. Joel Denton who was interim director last year. They have laid a firm foundation for this event which has allowed immediate growth for us. We are so thrilled to have all these students on our campus.” 

Bailey was invited to Lee in 1989 to conduct the Lee Symphonic Band and jumpstart the school’s instrumental program. He has advanced training with the nation’s best wind conductors and is a past president of the Christian Instrumentalists and Directors Association.  

The Honor Band participants were selected based on nominations and recommendations from their high school band directors. This annual event allows them to work closely with professional musicians and conductors, furthering their musical development and strengthening their appreciation for ensemble performance. 

In addition to the Honor Band performances, the Lee University Wind Ensemble will perform on Friday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Pangle Hall. The performance will include Holst’s “First Suite in E flat,” Giannini’s Symphony for Band, and the world premiere of David Holsinger’s “Nona Dance.”  

Both concerts are free, non-ticketed, and open to the public.  

For more information about Honor Band, visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/music/honor-band/. 

For more information about the performances, contact the School of Music at [email protected] or call (423) 614-8240.