Features Archives

The National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers Band
Mike Lawson | July 16, 2018
The American Civil War created a need for musicians for service in each Union regiment.
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Style and Sound: Band Uniforms and Footwear for 2018
Mike Lawson | May 11, 2018
With marching season upon us, SBO presents some of the newest uniform trends and offerings for your band programs.
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Festivals of Music: Virginia Beach 2018
Mike Lawson | May 11, 2018
The 2018 Festivals of Music Virginia Beach event was held April 27 and 28 at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center at Norfolk State University.
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New York Wind Ensemble Festival At Carnegie Hall
Mike Lawson | May 11, 2018
The full range of human emotions were present when the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School Wind Ensemble from Parkland, Florida took the Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall on the evening of March 6 for an unusual encore to their earlier adjudicated performance.
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Melissa Salguero: 2018 Grammy Music Educator of the Year
Sandra Kowalski | April 6, 2018
What better way for one to have their work validated than by being nominated by one’s community for an award that is judged by their peers and industry professionals and, subsequently winning it?
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Worldstrides OnStage Programs Heritage Festival
Mike Lawson | April 6, 2018
Between mid-March and the end of April, school music groups from around the country travel to central Florida to take part in the WorldStrides OnStage Heritage Festival at Universal Orlando Resort, where education meets fun in the sun and more.
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Channel Lawrence Welk and Swing, Swing Away!
Mike Lawson | March 2, 2018
Anybody who watched “The Lawrence Welk Show” as a teenager during the show’s long run on television probably remembers it as a program for old fogies.
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Violins of Hope in Nashville: Remembering the Holocaust through the Arts
Mike Lawson | February 3, 2018
The curtain went up and revealed a darkened stage set of a small country Russian village.
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Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg Is Living Her Dream
Sandra Kowalski | February 3, 2018
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg is an internationally acclaimed violin soloist, record label creator, music director, conductor, actress, writer, teacher, mentor, survivor and inspiration.
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Upclose: Wouter Kellerman
Sandra Kowalski | January 8, 2018
What happens when Grammy Award-winning flutist Wouter Kellerman teams up with Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir and Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra?
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Liberty DeVitto: A Rock Drumming Legend that Almost Wasn’t
Mike Lawson | November 6, 2017
For 30 years, Liberty DeVitto was the studio and touring drummer for Billy Joel. Some might say he was responsible for making Joel sound like a rock act instead of middle-of-the road pop.
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Pershing to President, America’s Military Bands, Part II – History and Organization: An Overview of Bands, Orchestras and Ensembles in our Military Service, Career and Education Opportunities
Mike Lawson | November 6, 2017
SBO asked a four experienced band directors and others active in music education to share their thoughts about the importance of military bands.
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