The Noblesville High School Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble were joined by the Purdue University Symphonic Band for a free concert to the community on April 23.
The collaboration came as part of the Partners in Music Education program Purdue has with Indiana high schools. Eric Thornbury, Noblesville Schools’ director of bands, said the experience his students gain from this partnership is invaluable.
“We stress to the students how important it is to listen to great musicians, not only did they have an opportunity to hear musicians who are more mature than them (it’s the idea of listening to your elders in music), but they also had the opportunity to sit next to these more mature musicians and hear them on an individual as well as an ensemble basis,” he said.
To prepare for the show, NHS students spent a day at Purdue rehearsing with their ensembles and directors.
“The students also take away a model of what an excellent rehearsal looks like, how the students listen and react with their conductor is so important for our students to see,” Thornbury said. “Our students get to talk to them about balancing their class schedule and the demands of playing in a music ensemble.”
Thornbury said Purdue does not offer majors in music so all of the college students continue playing in band not because they want a career in music but for the love of playing their instrument.
“To hear Purdue students majoring in aeronautical engineering, chemical engineering and then playing in band at that level is an incredible message,” he said. “Our students find out that playing in the band is what keeps some of the Purdue students sane, what they look forward to most in their day, and what helps them graduate college.”
