COLUMBUS, Miss. (CMSD) - The Northeast Mississippi Band Directors Association (NEMBDA) Honor Band Clinic is an annual event that showcases the most talented musicians from the northeastern region of Mississippi. Students are nominated by their band directors, and final selections are made by the NEMBDA Board of Executives. Each school in the region may nominate up to twelve students, with typically one to three students being selected to participate.
This year, NEMBDA selected three students from Columbus Middle School: Khole Johnson, Edwar Mendoza, and Iyanna Sherrod and one from Columbus High School: Zyla Harris. The two day event was held on the campus of Itawamba Community College campus in Fulton, Mississippi, where participating students auditioned upon arrival.
During the audition process, students performed scales and a short musical excerpt, to which they had to study in under one minute before performing it aloud, before awaiting final chair placements.
Khloe Johnson and Edwar Mendoza are both clarinetists, competed among twenty clarinet players. Khloe Johnson earned tenth chair, while Edwar Mendoza earned twelfth chair.
Iyanna Sherrod is a trombonist, competed among fifteen trombone players and earned seventh chair.
Zyla Harris earned 14th chair amongst the flutes.
Each of these students demonstrated exceptional dedication by practicing both independently and during after-school rehearsals. Their hard work and commitment to excellence allowed them to represent Columbus Municipal School District with pride.
