Eric Eagan Accepted for PLU Honor Band

 — from Kristen Wilson for Music Advocacy Group —

Eric Eagan has earned a spot in the Pacific Lutheran University High School Honor Band.

Eric Eagan, a senior at Orcas High School, has come a long way since he started playing clarinet in the 5th grade. One of two clarinetists with the Orcas High School Band, Eric has been accepted to attend the 2014 Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) Northwest High School Honor Band on January 10 and 11. This is the 25th Anniversary of this renowned workshop for accomplished high school musicians.

The Northwest High School Honor Bands feature music performed by some of the finest high school musicians from Idaho, Oregon and Washington.  These outstanding high school students are recommended for participation in the event by their high school band directors and the concert is a culmination of two days of intense rehearsals with guest clinicians.

“A record 87 high schools submitted more than 600 nominations,” said Darren Dix, Orcas High School Band Teacher, “and from those nominations only180 students were selected for two 90-student bands.  So this is a great honor for Eric to be accepted! I also want to thank the Music Advocacy Group,” added Dix, “for their contribution to Eric’s fees for this event.”

The guest clinicians for the Honor Bands are Thomas J. O’Neal, Associate Professor of Music at the University of Missouri and Scott-Lee Atchison, Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Kentucky.  Eric will be rehearsing with other students on January 10 and 11, and there will be two concerts on Saturday, January 11.

Both concerts will be in Lagerquist Concert Hall on the Pacific Lutheran University campus. A 5:00 p.m. concert will feature the Concert Band, and the Symphonic Band will perform at 6:30 p.m.  Admission is free and seating is first come, first served for both concerts.