FORT PIERCE — “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast; to soften rocks or bend a knotted oak,” wrote 15th Century playwright and poet William Congreve. Music has also been found to hold additional charms for middle and high school students—studying music helps them score better on exams in math, science and English, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

Nearly 500 middle and high school musicians converged on Indian River State College Jan. 16-20, meeting to play with others their age who share their passion for music and stretching their talents by challenging themselves to learn new styles, sharpen their chops, and experience a taste of what it’s like to be a professional working musician.

The event was the 45th Annual IRSC Honor Band and Orchestra Festival, the largest school outreach and recruitment event for secondary music students in the state. The best student musicians from every middle and high school in a five-county area are nominated to participate. The annual festival was launched in 1979 by Tony Allo, IRSC’s first band master. Dr. John Southall, Coordinator of Music Education and Director of Bands at IRSC, has been running the festival since he began teaching at the College in 2005.

Music directors began nominating their best music students for a slot in the festival last October. Southall reviewed the online nominations and made the final selections. Winners were notified in November which ensemble they would join, and which seat they would occupy. They were assigned six musical selections to rehearse over the holiday break. Then, at the festival, the students joined together with guest clinician conductors in four concert bands, two jazz bands, and one 76-piece orchestra. On the final day of the festival, each of the seven musical ensembles performed in concert for parents, other students, and guests.

“It’s really not about what ensemble they’re placed in or what part they’re assigned,” Southall said. “It’s about the experience. This is a great opportunity for students to work in a semi-professional environment and to see the entire process of what it’s like working as a professional musician.”

It is also a great opportunity for students and their families to see the College, Southall said. “It’s a very good opportunity for these students, their parents, their friends, to be on campus,” he said. “I believe, fundamentally, that’s what we should be doing in this education business. It helps increase enrollment and allows our community to see the great things that are going on at this campus.”

During a one-hour break on Friday, Southall and Alex Canter, IRSC’s Master Instructor of Performing and Visual Arts, gave the students a run-down of the programs offered at the College. Michael Hageloh, IRSC’s Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, also shared stories of his days as a disco drummer.

Southall brings in guest clinician conductors to give the younger musicians a taste of working with some of the best professional and educational musicians in the world. This year’s guests were Dr. Rick Fleming, Professor of Music and Director of Bands at State University of New York, Buffalo, who conducted the concert bands; Angie Dueñas, Orchestra Director at Vero Beach High School, who conducted the orchestra; and Christopher Dorsey, retired Director of Jazz Studies at Dillard High School for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, conducted the jazz ensembles. Dorsey has played with jazz greats Nat Adderley, Melton Mustafa, Dionne Warwick, and others. The Dillard High jazz band has won the Jazz Band Competition at Lincoln Center, run by Wynton Marsalis, three times.

For more information about this event or the instrumental music programs offered at Indian River State College, contact the Performing and Visual Arts Department at 772-462-7727.