On Friday, January 18, 2013 I traveled with Brian Sours SSISD Band Director and Madison Monroe to Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX for ATSSB Region 7 Band Clinic and Concert. In December, my daughter Madison Monroe, made 4th chair Percussion in Concert Band.

We arrived around 2:30p.m. and Madison's first clinic was from 3-5, then dinner, and another from 7-9. I had never been to anything like that before but it was amazing to listen to so many students who had never met or played together before.

On Saturday, January 19th, the students were in clinic from 9-12p.m. We were treated to an amazing lunch at Tarleton's Campus Cafeteria. Madison had clinic from 1:30-3, and then the students were released for a break and uniform change for concert at 5p.m. I had the honor of witnessing all that goes into putting together a full concert with three bands performing, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Honors Band. The Concert was amazing! To see what these students were able to accomplish is such a short amount of time!

As a band parent, Band Booster member, and SSHS Band Alumni, I'm very proud of my daughter for making the Band, for her hard work and commitment and for the hard work and commitment of our Band Director!

Tonia Pierce

San Saba, TX