It was a full house of young musicians at Southwestern Michigan College last Friday as five area high school bands gathered for the college’s sixth annual Clinic Day — a hands-on workshop designed to fine-tune performances ahead of next month’s festival season.
Nearly 200 student musicians from across Southwest Michigan spent Feb. 20 on the SMC campus, receiving on-stage critiques and instruction from guest clinician Dr. Pam Klena of Oakland University.
Participating schools included:
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Dowagiac Union High School Concert Band, directed by Benjamin VanRoekel
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Bridgman High School Concert Band, directed by Cliff Reppart
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Watervliet High School Band, directed by Jennifer Hollandsworth
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Coloma High School Band, directed by Marc Hartman
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Covert High School Band, directed by Nicole Bell
Each band performed three selections they are preparing for the upcoming Southwestern Michigan Band and Orchestra Association festival. After performing, students remained on stage for real-time feedback focused on tone, balance, air support and musical expression.
The format gives every ensemble roughly an hour in the spotlight — time to polish details, strengthen confidence and gain insight from an experienced conductor before stepping into formal adjudication next month.
Clinic Day began in 2020, paused during the pandemic, and returned in 2022. It is co-sponsored by Quinlan & Fabish Music Company of Stevensville.
The morning concluded with performances by SMC’s own Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble, offering visiting students a glimpse of what continued music education can look like beyond high school.
More than a rehearsal, the event reflects SMC’s ongoing commitment to supporting arts education across Michigan’s Great Southwest — bringing students together, encouraging growth and celebrating the discipline and teamwork that band programs instill.
headline photo courtesy of Southwestern Michigan College
