Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

For the first time since 2016, the Southeast Alaska Music Honor Festival will be held in Haines.

The festival gathers outstanding student musicians from across Southeast where they assemble into bands and choirs directed by experienced directors. Students will travel by ferry to attend the festival.

The festival will take place in the Chilkat Center for the Arts with an open mic night Sunday Oct. 23-25 at 2:30 p.m. “That’s going to be kids’ chance to play something they’ve always liked or something they’re playing now,” said Matt Davis, Haines High School Music teacher. During the open mic, the Haines High School Band will perform “The Thunderer” by John Philip Sousa and the Man(ish) Choir will sing “Everybody Knows” by Keith Lancaster.

After rehearsing throughout the festival, a final concert will be performed on the Chilkat Center stage on Tuesday Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. The festival features guest conductors Dr. Ryan Beeken of Wichita State University directing choir and Dr. David Thornton of Michigan State University directing band.

“There will be a choir followed by a band concert with an intermission and time to buy some treats,” Davis said. Proceeds will go toward the Glacier Bears women’s basketball team.

The Haines band includes Alison Benda (flute), Avari Getchell (percussion), Phoenix Swaner (percussion), Nate White (percussion), Kate Benda (percussion) and Camelia Bell (percussion). The choir includes Sophia Suttcliffe Diaz, Luke Davis, Colin Aldassy, JC Davis, Maddox Rogers and Zach Ritzinger.

There will be a pulled pork sandwich fundraiser dinner at the high school cafeteria from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25.