Several FVHS band members were chosen to participate in this year’s UNC-Wilmington Honor Band Festival. Those chosen were sophomore Adithi Balaji, junior Aidan Fought, sophomore Thomas Lezzer and junior Maddie Clark. The UNCW Honor Band will take place Thursday, Dec. 7 through Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. 

Participating students will attend performances by UNCW student and faculty ensembles, as well as masterclasses which are performances where someone gets a lot of focus and attention on their specific instrument. They will also rehearse and perform with other high school students from across the eastern half of North Carolina.

Clark is one of the participating students from FVHS. She’s been playing french horn since sixth grade and keeps her focus on french horn, it being the only instrument she plays.

Though musical performances are culturally very popular, band performances specifically aren’t spoken about very often. The most popular music today is mostly by individual artists as society has slowly drifted away from instrumental concerts.

“I definitely think it’s underrated. It should get more attention,” Clark said. 

Band has also acted as a way for Clark to grow as an individual and as a hobby for her. She was in choir for two years and also theater, but band is something she stuck with, even becoming good enough for recognition from UNCW.

“I’ve learned a lot of things about myself and my instrument,” Clark said.