Band Members from Cashmere High School are Invited to Join the WIBC Honor Band

Local Musicians Shine: Cashmere High Students Chosen for WIBC Opportunity

Established in 1956, Cashmere High School is a state coeducational secondary school located in southern Christchurch, New Zealand. The school is known for its strong sense of community, academic excellence, and various co-curricular activities, including sports, performing arts, and cultural programs. The arts department is renowned for its strength, particularly in band, choir, and drama. The school is proud to announce that three talented students, Brooke Chalmers, Liam Hill, and Ashur Yearous, have been selected to attend the prestigious Western International Band Clinic (WIBC) in SeaTac. These students were chosen after a highly competitive selection process, where the WIBC staff reviewed thousands of audition entries to select the most skilled high school and college musicians for the event.

WIBC is an organization that hosts students from the western United States, Canada, and Australia for annual concerts and rehearsals. Students must submit audition materials, including multiple tasks to demonstrate their instrument proficiency. Brass and woodwind instrument players must record videos of their performances in three different musical selections to showcase their advanced musical skills, as Kent Chalmers, the band director at CHS mentioned.

Chalmers explained that after students practiced their audition pieces, they recorded their performances using handheld recorders or phones. These recordings are then reviewed to identify areas for improvement before submitting the final versions. The primary goal is to help students enhance their instrumental skills and achieve greater performance proficiency. For 46 years, WIBC has brought together professional composers and instructors annually to provide attendees with the best possible experience during the event. CHS students will participate in rehearsals and have the

opportunity to attend concerts performed by some of the top high schools and universities across the country. The students on the final day will showcase their skills by performing in a concert with their designated honor band.
WIBC is an excellent event for student musicians selected to participate. The students return to Cashmere as more skilled performers and stronger leaders within the band. This event and other band events in the Northwest U.S. provide CHS students with valuable opportunities to learn new techniques, which will continue to enhance their musical skills and artistry. Overall, the event helped the students understand music’s intricacies and made them stronger performers and leaders within the band program.

Editor's Note:

The selection of Cashmere High School students for the Western International Band Clinic (WIBC) is a remarkable achievement that highlights the significance of such events in shaping young musicians. WIBC provides a unique platform for students to refine their skills, learn from professional composers and instructors, and gain valuable performance experience. Beyond technical growth, these events foster leadership, teamwork, and confidence, all of which contribute to the holistic development of students.

Skoobuzz congratulates all three students, as this achievement showcases the transformative power of music education in preparing students for future endeavors.