IBA Honor Band=Kennedy

            Recordings of music. You hear them all the time. All different genres and playlists. The ones that are good get the attention of many people. But there are also ones that aren’t the best but get the attention of a couple people and suddenly that band is the IBA Honor Band for 2015. Yes, I’m talking about the Kennedy Wind Symphony. Somehow, our quality of music has raised to a level that makes us good enough to represent all the 4A High Schools in Iowa.

            In the past, I have gone on about how the Kennedy Wind Symphony has lacked work and determination. Does the phrase ‘Fake it till you make it’ sound familiar? Cause it seems that, not saying we aren’t good, we struggle through the process of sounding good. Apparently my standards are too high. Partially because of the fact that I made it into All-State Band. The whole experience with that band has dampened, or maybe heightened, the quality of which I want out of the Wind Symphony. In any case, I am stuck with what we’ve got and I am finally proud to say that I am involved in the Kennedy Wind Symphony.

            This whole process of getting into IBA is very time consuming and difficult. First off, we have to prepare music that is almost above our skill level. And then, when we kind of know that music we have to record it; where every mistake and cacked note is heard and there for the rest of time. Recording is such a stressful time. In a real concert, some of these simple mistakes can be covered up by different sections or parts of the music. But a recording is ruthless. It is like having the teacher stare over your shoulder while you are taking a math test; you’re afraid you are doing something wrong when you know you are doing it right, which, in turn, makes you mess up. It is a terrible feeling. Knowing that each entrance and every single minute detail will be heard and judged. Based on how many mistakes and errors the band makes determines who gets to take this great honor.

            Once recording is done, the bands involved send in their recordings to a panel of judges. These judges first listen to the first minute or so of the CD. If they don’t like what they hear, you’re done. With a flick of the wrist the hard work of a band goes into the trash can. They then decide, to those that weren’t that bad, to listen to more of the CD. Based on those tracks, they chose the band. Apparently, our CD made it through the judges and it was just not bad enough to make the band. So, on May 15^th, the Kennedy Wind Symphony will be going to Des Moines to play for this amazing honor, the first time since 1972!