Limestone University To Host Middle School Honor Band Clinic

The Limestone University Music Program will host its annual Middle School Honor Band Clinic November 16-17.

The clinic, in its seventh year, is unique to Limestone as no other higher education institution in South Carolina hosts an event for middle school band students.

Local band directors are encouraged to submit as many as 10 students to be guaranteed a spot in one of the two groups. Each participant will also receive a meal and t-shirt. Submissions are $25 per student. Registration closes on October 20, and video auditions are due by November 3. The audition materials are the Junior All-State Solo pieces, and information about video auditions will be provided once band directors have received notice of registration.

The online registration link is available at www.limestone.edu/music.

This year's clinicians will be John McAllister, a prominent band composer from Spartanburg, and Spencer Nance, Limestone’s Director of Athletic Bands.

McAllister is a composer, educator, and conductor. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Furman University. After graduation, he spent 14 years teaching elementary, middle, and high school students in Spartanburg School District 7. During his tenure, McAllister was named “Teacher of the Year” at both McCracken Middle School and Spartanburg High School in 2015 and 2020, respectively. The ensembles under his direction achieved much success, receiving numerous “Superior” ratings at local and regional festivals.

McAllister’s passion for composing and arranging has merged with his band directing,

leading him to create John McAllister Music. To find out more, visit www.johnmcallistermusic.com.

Many of McAllister’s compositions and arrangements center around creating exciting and engaging music for young performers. He writes for concert bands, orchestra, and chamber ensembles. He has also regularly arranged custom shows for marching bands. In addition to writing for performing ensembles, McAllister has scored numerous films, video games, and commercials. Placements have ranged from nationally televised commercials to popular YouTube channels, and he has collaborated with filmmaker Kane Farabaugh on multiple Emmy Award-winning films.

(Accompany photo: Middle School Honor Band Clinic 2022)