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Looking for 2024 Northwest Jazz Festival?
The Four-State Honor Band Festival provides an outstanding learning experience for area students. While all students will benefit from the opportunity, those with strong musical backgrounds will find it especially rewarding.
Larry MacTaggart spreads the joy of music as a freelance composer, arranger, conductor, and clinician. A graduate of the University of Arkansas (BME-1981) and the University of Nebraska (MM-1983), MacTaggart was director of instrumental music in the Fairbury (Nebraska) public school system from 1983 to 1985. In September of 1985, Larry began a long and wonderful journey in service to his country as a member of the United States Air Force Public Affairs team. His career began as a percussionist with the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command Band, (later, the Heartland of America Band) at Offutt AFB, NE. In 1994, MacTaggart transitioned from performing to composing and arranging music. In 1997, he was reassigned to The United States Air Force Band in Washington D.C., serving as a staff music arranger. In 2000, he was named Chief Music Arranger and Production Manager, a position he held until 2007.
MacTaggart transitioned to a senior-level management position in February of 2007, taking an assignment at the Pentagon as the senior Human Resources program manager for all Air Force Bands. In this position, he served as an advisor to the Air Force Director of Public Affairs on personnel, recruiting, deployment, training, and quality of life issues for 14 Air Force bands. In 2009, MacTaggart transferred to the Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii where he served as Regional Human Resources Manager for the Air Force Band of the Pacific.
After 27 years on active duty; MacTaggart retired from the Air Force in October of 2012. Upon his retirement from military service, he transitioned to a career in Human Resources, first as a Benefits Specialist for the Omaha World-Herald and to a similar position with LEO A DALY, an architecture, engineering, and design firm headquartered in Omaha, NE. He retired from Human Resources in December of 2021.
MacTaggart was blessed to serve as the Music Director and Conductor of The Nebraska Wind Symphony on two occasions: 1995-1997 and 2014-2019. He is also an active member of the Papillion Area Concert Band, serving in multiple capacities.
Larry is blessed to be married to his soul mate, the former Jill Divis, a native of Brainard, NE. They have one amazing daughter, Mallory.
Dr. Sutton is currently Assistant Professor of Music at Northwest Missouri State University where he conducts the Northwest Concert Band and teaches trombone, euphonium, tuba, and music theory. He plays the Willlson 2900 TA euphonium and the 3400 FA-5 E-flat tuba and is a Willson Performing Artist.
Will has performed with the Kansas City Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, St. Joseph Symphony, Lansing Symphony, and Orchestra of Northern New York, Holland Symphony Orchestra, Capital City Brass Band, Mountain Town Brass Band, and Mid-Michigan Brass Band. He has been invited to perform at the Regional and International Tuba and Euphonium Conferences and as a soloist with many college and university ensembles.
Dr. Sutton’s teachers include Phillip Sinder, Ava Ordman, Charles Guy, Mark Hartman, Michael Wilkinson, and Michael Meidenbauer. He holds Degrees from Michigan State University, The State University of New York at Potsdam, and Schenectady County Community College. His solo playing can be heard under the Kendor Music, Inc. label.
(tentative)Four-State Honor Band Coordinator
Mr. John Bell
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Grades 9 – 12
Band directors are requested to nominate their most deserving students for participation in the Four-State Honor Band Festival. Students’ previous accomplishments (level of successful participation at the regional and state level) and the priority ratings of directors are all factors that are considered.
Students with known conflicts should not be nominated by their respective directors.
No.
Yes. There will be a fee of $10.00 for each student selected for the Honor Band Festival Ensembles. This non-refundable fee will be due (CHECKS ONLY) as soon as possible after selection notification.
Checks should be payable to Northwest Four-State Honor Festival 2024, and be sent to the following address:
Four-State Honor Festival 2024
Fine Arts Building
800 University Avenue
Maryville, MO 64468
Please be sure to specify HONOR BAND in the memo section of the check.
ABSOLUTELY, in fact they are encouraged to do so! There is no charge for audience members…this is a FREE concert, open to the general public!
