The Prosper High School Band Percussion Ensemble has earned an invitation to perform at the Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival during the 2017 Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis in March. This is the first time that the Prosper High School Percussion Ensemble has received this honor.
Prosper joined ensembles from across the nation in applying for the performance opportunity. They submitted recordings of two pieces for review and adjudication by a panel of judges. Only 10 groups were selected to perform at the 2017 festival.
The Prosper High School Percussion Ensemble is directed by Michael Huestis. Last year the Prosper percussion ensembles, drumline and steel drum bands performed at the North Texas Percussion Festival, the Richland Carnival of Steel and won the high percussion award at the Birdville Marching Band Contest.
“The Prosper High School percussion students are an extraordinary group of young people,” Ensemble Director Michael Huestis said announcing the official invitation. “The percussion students worked very hard last year to prepare extremely difficult percussion ensemble literature to be considered for the Music for All National Percussion Festival. It has been so much fun working with these wonderful students.”
Prosper band director John Alstrin added, “I want to congratulate Mr. Huestis and all of the percussion students for earning the privilege of performing at the Music for All National Festival. Our students commit hours of time practicing, rehearsing and sharpening their talent to develop the highest musicianship skills. They are a fine example of what high school music students can achieve. We would like to acknowledge the parents of these fine students who have spent years supporting their children in their musical endeavors.”
“We are honored that the Prosper High School Percussion Ensemble was selected as one of the performing ensembles at the 2017 National Percussion Festival,” said Prosper High School principal Dr. John Burdett. “Prosper High School continues to reap the benefits of the hard work, dedication and talent of our students and teachers.”
Prosper ISD Superintendent Dr. Drew Watkins stated, “We are so proud of our growing band program – we are particularly excited that our percussion section will be representing Eagle Nation at the Music for All National Festival. Our young percussionists are amazingly entertaining and will certainly shine on the national stage – we are very proud of all involved.”
