LR musicians shine in statewide honor band

Four Lenoir-Rhyne University students were selected to perform in the 2025 North Carolina Intercollegiate Honor Band, held Nov. 9-10 as part of the North Carolina Music Educators Association conference in Winston-Salem. Representing LR this year were music education major Lindsay Gustafson ’27, nursing major and music minor Brysen Rodriguez ’28, music major Aaron Hollar ’26 and music major Cody Stagner ’27.

The Intercollegiate Honor Band is a biennial ensemble that brings together 85 of the state’s top collegiate musicians. Members are chosen through a blind recorded audition process after being nominated by their university directors. Students receive their music in early October and arrive at the clinic prepared, but the ensemble itself has only two days of intensive rehearsal to shape a full concert program. This year’s rehearsals were held at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, with the final performance taking place Nov. 10 at the Benton Convention Center. Participation fees, including lodging, were supported for LR students by the Fritz Honors College.

This year’s conductor was Nicholas Enrico Williams, professor of music and director of bands at the University of Georgia. A conductor with an international profile, Williams has previously led major university and youth ensembles in the United States and Australia, and he is a frequent guest conductor for top military, professional and collegiate wind bands.

Lenoir-Rhyne clarinetist Lindsay Gustafson ’27 said she was drawn to the challenge of performing with an elite statewide ensemble. “The pieces for the Intercollegiate Honor Band are incredibly challenging, and I’m excited to play alongside the best collegiate musicians in the state.”

Gustafson, who serves as assistant drum major for the Spirit of LR marching band and performs in multiple LR ensembles, sees opportunities like this as an extension of the hands-on training she experiences. “I always wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “I started really honing my performance skills at the youth music camps at Lenoir-Rhyne and felt drawn here for undergrad. You get more opportunities for growth in the close-knit environment here — conducting in the spring showcase, leading marching band warmups. It’s all better preparation for moving into the instructional side of music after we graduate.”

Trombonist Brysen Rodriguez ’28 echoed the honor of representing LR at the clinic. “I felt at a loss for words when I learned I’d been selected,” he said. “To be selected to represent Lenoir-Rhyne among the best musicians in the state is a tremendous honor.”

Rodriguez added that working with a clinician of Williams’ stature was an opportunity he didn’t want to miss. “It’s a growth opportunity to play with people I wouldn’t ordinarily meet or get a chance to play with, and it comes with the chance to work with a world-class clinician and experience the perspective of his expertise.”

Rodriguez currently performs in LR’s wind ensemble, wind symphony, Spirit of LR marching band and the basketball pep band, and he hopes to continue playing in community ensembles after he completes his nursing degree. He said he looked forward not only to the musical challenge, but also to the collaborative environment the clinic fosters.

“These are people coming together from around the state — who have never met before — and we’ll be building relationships and trust within a few days so we can perform together,” he said. “One of the most satisfying parts of performing is working with my peers. It’s a unique experience — working in unison and building chemistry to perform as a group. It’s life changing to form those kinds of bonds in performance. There’s nothing quite like it.”