Abigail Chalmers and Grace Chalmers have been selected for membership in the Minnesota Band Directors Association Honor Band for the 2016-17 school year. Abigail’s director at Southwest Middle School is Jared Dawson and Grace’s director at Albert Lea High School is Suzanne Mauer.

Abigail, a seventh-grader, was one of 86 students selected from 274 who auditioned this winter for the sixth through eighth grade band. Grace, a sophomore, was one of 87 students selected from 223 who auditioned this winter for the ninth and 10th grade band.

According to a press release, the students participating will have the opportunity to work with some of the finest music educators in the state as their section coaches. The sixth through eighth grade band will be conducted by John Lace, and the ninth and 10th grade band will be conducted by James Patrick Miller. Both groups rehearse at Chanhassen High School on April 22 and will perform a concert at 2 p.m. April 23 in the Chanhassen High School auditorium.

The honor band program is an on-going project of MBDA, a professional organization of band directors representing band programs of all grade levels from throughout the state of Minnesota. 

The mission of MBDA is to assist in the development of band directors and band programs in schools, colleges and communities.