Region's top honor musicians, vocalists perform at Northeast Community College

The Norfolk campus of Northeast Community College was filled with the sound of music early last week, as a number of the region's top high school musicians and vocalists had the opportunity to participate in an honors program through the institution's music department.

HAWKFEST, in its second year, featured 110 students from 23 schools, including three musicians from Clearwater Public Schools.

The event featured daylong rehearsals, capped off by a public performance in the college's Lifelong Learning Center. The 50-member honor band was under the direction of Kevin McLouth, director of instrumental studies at Northeast, while the approximately 60-member honor choir was led by Stewart Cramer, director of vocal activities.

Margaret Schultz, music instructor/accompanist at Northeast, served as HAWKFEST manager.

McLouth said students earned entrance to HAWKFEST through an audition process.

"These young ladies and gentlemen have worked hard," he told the audience. "Our goal ... is to make music when we get here, not just play (or sing) notes on a Page, but make music. And I think we have truly done that today and I'm really proud of them."

McLouth gave credit to the high school music directors for preparing the students so they could be selected to participate in the honor band or choir.

"We get to pick and choose these students to work with on a day like this. But the people who do the real work are your hometown band director and your hometown choir director who stand there in front of your kids every day and teach them so they can perform in something like this. They deserve a round of applause."