Three Clarke seventh grade band members were accepted into the South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association (SCIBA) Honor Bands. Ashlin Hardy, daughter of Tanya and Dan Hardy, was chosen as an oboe player for the SCIBA White Honor Band. The White Band is composed of a combination of eighth grade students who auditioned to earn their place, as well as seventh grade students who were nominated by their band directors. The White Band will be conducted by Steve Britt, the eighth and ninth grade band director at Meadows School in Dallas Center-Grimes. Veronica Banuelos, daughter of Benita and Jose Banuelos, was selected on clarinet, and Ashlyn Crawford, daughter of Molly and Brian Crawford, was chosen on percussion to represent Clarke in the SCIBA Red Honor Band. The Red Band consists solely of seventh grade musicians who were nominated by their band directors. The Red Band will be conducted by Natalie Clark from Indianola Middle School in Indianola. All of these students have been busy preparing their music during their school band lessons for the upcoming concert with Clarke Middle School Band Director, Christie Stortenbecker. Ashlin Hardy also takes piano lessons from Rachel McCoy.
Each of the three honor bands has approximately 100 participants. The SCIBA Honor Band Festival will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the auditorium at Ankeny Centennial High School in Ankeny, Iowa. Students from 75 schools located in the south central portion of Iowa will rehearse together during the afternoon and present a concert for the public in the evening. The Red Band will perform at 6:30 P.M., followed by the White Band at 7 P.M. The Blue Band will perform at 7:30 P.M. The admission fee for audience members is $3 for adults and $2 for non-participating students.