Moore County has always been able to claim bragging rights on its high school band music programs. Every year, Union Pines, North Moore and Pinecrest are represented by talented musicians who make the All-District Band.

Union Pines was represented by eight students: Kyle McLean, Jennifer Matthews, Luke Arno, Caitlin Howard, Isaiah Simpson, Eric Dinkins, Jacob Daniel and Sierra Bunnell. Representing North Moore was Jeffrey Barrett, and Jason Wolonick represented Pinecrest.

The All-District Band can be described as an "all-star band."

Those who try out are serious musicians, most likely future music majors and all-around talented young players. The auditions to make such a well-renowned band are rigorous.

In the audition, the student plays various scales, a solo piece, and sight reads for the judge. Sight reading is when a musician is given a piece never seen before, given a minute to look it over and then expected to play it with dynamics as well as correct notes and rhythms.

A small percentage of those who audition make the cut. The All-District Clinic was a two-day event that took place on Feb.1- 2 at Scotland High School in Laurinburg. Basically, the bands have all day Friday and Saturday morning to learn the music for the concert on Saturday evening at 5 p.m.

This year's clinic was a little different in that not only were there student representatives, but a Union Pines faculty member was represented as well. Rob Hill, Union Pines Band director, was the ninth and tenth grade band guest clinician for the All-District Program, chosen for his accomplishments and excellence with musical education, professional musicianship and notable dedication to his programs.

"I had a blast," says Hill. "These kids were well above standard. I wasn't just teaching notes and rhythms, we were making music."

The ninth and tenth grade band performed "The Black Horse Troop," "When the Stars Began to Fall," "Minimally Speaking Parts 1 and 2," "Where Eagles Soar," "The Witch and the Saint," and "A Disney March Spectacular."

The 11th and 12th grade bands performed "Bush Dance," "Solid Men to the Front," "Wedding Dance," and "Were You There." Recordings of the performances were available for purchase. Four of the 10 students who made the band from Union Pines were also selected to try out for the All-State Band. These four students were Howard, Simpson, McLean and Matthews, who will audition for the All-State Clinic in March.

"It's impressive," says Union Pines band director Rob Hill. "It is extremely difficult to put music together with a bunch of strangers in one and a half days."

Kelsey Snell, a student at Union Pines High School, is also an editor of The Word, The Pilot's teen page.