Students from across Clinton County came together Tuesday evening, March 10, at 6:30 p.m., in the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School Gymnasium for the 2026 Clinton County Band Festival, the third year the event has been performed. Students and families were able to celebrate music, collaboration and the talent of young musicians from several local schools.

The festival featured student performers between grades 7-12 from each school to perform as a unified ensemble after preparing their music in advance.

Similar to the PMEA District Band, students were given music back in October and were able to meet and rehearse together over the last month and a half.

The students then met on Monday, March 9, where they practiced together from 9 a.m. until the evening and again Tuesday before their final performance.

LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS Host director Joe Mauck, SVRCS, and students are seen tuning up ahead of their performance.

The evening began with opening remarks from Joe Mauck of Sugar Valley Rural Charter School, who served as this year’s host director, welcoming students, families and community members to the annual event. The combined band opened the concert with “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The ensemble performed many modern and popular pieces chosen by Mauck that included “Epic Gaming Themes,” “Crazy Train,” originally written by rock musician Ozzy Osbourne and “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.”

During their performance, Mauck noted the audience would see lots of movement on stage as his fellow directors filled in additional spots to provide support to the students.

Following Mauck was Abby Novak, of Bucktail Area Middle/High School, who chose to showcase music from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Air for Band,” a classic concert band work, and music from the Broadway musical “Wicked.”

The concert program continued to feature a wide range of musical selections that showcased different styles chosen by Ashley Crust, of Central Mountain Middle/High School as students performed “The Sinfonians” by Clifton Williams.

LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS At left, director Ashley Crust, CMHS/CMMS, recognizes the students after their performance while wearing a rubber chicken mask.

The program concluded with the lively “The Great Rubber Chicken Galop” by Randall Standridge, that had the students playing rubber chickens on stage. Crust, in keeping with the theme, donned a rubber chicken mask before the final performance.

Events like the Clinton County Band Festival give students an opportunity to perform challenging music alongside peers from other schools, build musical skills and experience the excitement of performing in a large ensemble.

The concert also allowed the community to support and celebrate the dedication of local student musicians and their teachers.

With a diverse program and strong turnout from families and supporters, the 2026 Clinton County Band Festival once again highlighted the importance of music education and collaboration throughout the county.