Famous Composer Visits, Conducts SKHS Band

To the editor,

On Monday, March 25, the SKHS music department had a visitor.  Famous band composer and arranger Robert Sheldon spent a class period with students from the SKHS band program to conduct and talk about the composition of three of the band students’ pieces that he had written and were performed at SKHS during the last two years. 

Sheldon had been the Guest Conductor for the Rhode Island Music Educators All-State Senior Band over the weekend.  He currently serves as the chief editor for Alfred Publications while actively composing commissioned works from his home in Normal, IL. 

He agreed to the visit as part of a "ride to the airport" from an old friend – myself, Dr. Don Smith, the director of instrumental music at SKHS. 

Sheldon served for a number of years as the director of the Florida State University Marching Chiefs as well as several other prominent bands in the nation.

The students were inspired and often laughed with Sheldon's humor as they performed "Joyful Journey," "Chorography" and "Crazy for Cartoons" under his direction. 

As the session ended, several students got autographs from their guest and have been buzzing about the experience ever since.
 - Don Smith

Many thanks to Don for the submission, and for uploading the video of the session!