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NC State clinician Dr. Mark Whitfield leads Crest High student bands in program of new works and Dixieland finale
Summary
Dr. Mark Whitfield, assistant director of athletic bands at North Carolina State University, guest-conducted Crest High School student ensembles in Cleveland County, leading performances of recent transcriptions and a Dixieland-style finale. Directors and parents were publicly thanked; students rehearsed pieces on short notice.
Crest High School hosted Dr. Mark Whitfield, assistant director of athletic bands at North Carolina State University, as a guest clinician for a student band concert in Cleveland County. Whitfield conducted a program that included a recent transcription of Eric Whitaker’s “Seal Lullaby,” J. Vogt’s programmatic work “Shackleford Banks (The Tale of Wild Mustangs),” and a Dixieland-style funeral arrangement combining “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Kenny Collins, event director at Crest High School, introduced Whitfield and said the conductor’s emphasis on growth over perfection resonated with students: “He told these kids it doesn’t have to be perfect. His focus has been on growth, which is what our kids need.” Whitfield told the audience, “I am thrilled to be here.”
Why it matters: the visit brought a college-level clinician and a mix of newer and standard repertoire to Cleveland County student musicians and gave several students the opportunity to perform solo parts in front of a larger audience. Collins said many students received some of the music within the last week and that ensembles rehearsed intensively in the day before and the day of the concert.
Details of the program and rehearsal timeline were discussed during onstage remarks. Whitfield noted that some students onstage saw the music for the first time the previous day and that the groups had rehearsed “our absolute tails off for a couple of hours yesterday and all day today.” Collins told the crowd the visit came after scheduling changes required the school to find new clinicians on short notice.
Presenters and directors thanked parents, school administrations, and the Cleveland County band directors who hosted the event. Collins specifically named and thanked several staff members and administrators onstage for hosting and supporting the program. Whitfield also recognized student soloists and moved several into a small onstage Dixieland band for the final selection; named soloists included Olivia Delvera (clarinet), Jake Clymer (trumpet), Tanner Cook (trumpet), Bridal Beatty (trumpet), Jake Seyfried (trombone), Jeremiah Kennedy (tuba) and Jackson Gilchrist (drums). Collins also recognized Catherine Frey for a brief flute solo earlier in the program.
The concert incorporated a mix of new works, transcriptions and jazz-influenced repertoire. Whitfield described the Shackleford Banks piece as programmatic, evoking imagery from North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and framed the final selection around New Orleans funeral tradition — a dirge to the graveside followed by celebratory music departing the graveside.
No formal decisions or policy actions were taken; the event was a clinic and public performance rather than a governance meeting. Organizers said the visit was supported by school staff and the band directors across Cleveland County and by Whitfield’s affiliation with North Carolina State University. The concert concluded with thanks to parents and administrators and applause for the students’ performances.
