Saturday Jan. 19 was the date for the annual East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association's Junior Clinic at Cherokee High School in Rogersville. The grades that are eligible for this clinic are 7th through 9th. Four students from H.Y. Livesay and one from Powell Valley Elementary participated this year for the first time. They were Erin Johnston and Alexandra Spangler (7th grade flutes), Jacob Mills and Olivia Price (7th grade alto saxophones), and Mitch York (8th grade trumpet). Erin and Alexandra received 8th and 9th chair in the 7th grade band. Olivia, Jacob, and Mitch were alternates for their bands. Their director, Linda Smiddy, said that she is extremely proud of these students that have worked so hard to achieve this level of success.

The weekend of Jan. 25-26 was the chosen date for the Tennessee Secondary Schools Band Director's Association's Senior Clinic at Heritage High School in Maryville, open to all senior high band students. Cumberland Gap High School had one student to participate this year: Kim Skinner (12th grade clarinet). Kim performed very well in her first clinic audition, earning sixth chair Red Band. She said she really enjoyed the Clinician, Chris Metcalf, and the music they played. Kim was also drum major for the past two years for the Cumberland Gap High School Panthers. Congratulations band members!