Recognition of Firestone Marching Band
November 26th, 2018
The Board of Education would like to recognize the Firestone CLC Marching Band for their outstanding accomplishments this fall.
The Marching Band qualified for the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Marching Band Finals in November based on their performance at the District Contest where they were named Grand Champion. This marks the 17th consecutive year the Firestone Marching Band has qualified to perform in the OMEA State Finals.
In addition to their outstanding marks in the OMEA State Finals, the band was recently selected to perform in Chicago's Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade and was featured on Cleveland's Fox 8 News.
It should be noted that Firestone CLC Marching Band has a long tradition of outstanding accomplishments including performances at Severance Hall and featured performances at the Ohio Music Educators Professional Conference.
The band is under the incredible leadership of Dr. Kate Ferguson who is joined by drum majors Cole Johnson and Hannah Kear. Cole, who also plays in the Jazz Band, is a senior in the Akron School for the Arts at Firestone and a four-year member of the Marching Band. Hannah is a sophomore in the Akron School for the Arts. This marks her second year as a member of the Marching Band. Hannah is also a member of the Firestone Women's Chorus.
Dr. Ferguson is well-respected among band directors throughout the state. She has represented the Akron Public Schools at the Ohio Music Educators Professional Conference, Bands of America, and the Midwest Band Conference. She is considered an authority in instrumental pedagogy and music literacy. Dr. Ferguson truly embodies all of the qualities of a teacher leader.
In light of these accomplishments, we would like to recognize Dr. Ferguson and the students of the Firestone CLC Marching Band.
Thank you for continuing to shine a bright light on the arts in Akron Public Schools throughout the state and beyond.
Photo: Drum majors Cole Johnson, Hannah Kear with Kate Ferguson, Ph.D., director of bands at Firestone CLC