The Four States Bandmasters Association’s convention and clinic for area band teachers and students also gives the public a chance to hear the region’s finest band musicians for free.

Tonight at the Pleasant Grove High School Performing Arts Center, the Arkansas-based professional group Mass Brass and the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra will perform. On Saturday afternoon at the Perot Theatre, area students in three select bands will give a concert. Both shows are open to the public.

“We’d like to have the whole town, anybody that wants to come out and hear some good music,” said Ed Grissom, executive secretary for the Four States Bandmasters and band director at Pleasant Grove Middle School.

The three-day event draws to town the talents of 250 high school band students from about 60 high schools to learn, play new music and experience working with a college band director.

On Thursday and today, clinics and exhibits were scheduled at Texas High School’s Tiger Center to benefit both students and band directors.

Three bands—symphonic, concert and jazz—will form from Thursday’s audition, rehearse for three days, and then perform on Saturday with three guest conductors guiding them.

“They’ll learn new music and perform new music in a concert,” said Grissom about the students playing. He said the Four States Bandmasters Association has been meeting for more than five decades.

“For people who enjoy band music, it will be a good chance to get out and hear some songs,” Grissom said.



(Mass Brass and the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra perform at 7 tonight at the Pleasant Grove High School Performing Arts Center. On Saturday, three select bands of student musicians perform at 2:30 p.m. at the Perot Theatre. Admission is free for both concerts.)