Alex Back, a senior at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, recently participated in the 2023 University of Central Arkansas High School Honors Ensemble.
Back, who plays French horn, was among 61 student musicians from across the state who participated in the two-day clinic on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He was chosen from more than 300 applicants for the clinic.
Students were selected based on their previous participation in other honor ensembles, Back said. He included his participation in Region II All-Region first band, seventh chair; All-State Concert Band, 6th chair; and All-Region Orchestra, third chair.
The student musicians received training from several expert musicians followed by a concert to close out the clinic. Back said he enjoyed the clinic and was able to connect with several musicians who had also attended other events with him.
“The clinic was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed meeting other people my age who are just as passionate about music as I am. I ran into some people who recognized me from Dixie Band Camp at UCA. I played my piano composition ‘Wind Chimes’ at Dixie’s Got Talent, and a person at the UCA (Honors Ensemble) said that it was ‘life changing.’ Our performance on Friday was amazing, but it was all thanks to our clinician Steve Davis.”
Davis is the director of bands and wind ensembles and the conservatory wind symphony at the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory. He served as the leading clinician for the honors ensemble.