2009 is beginning with even more honors. The first was an invitation to participate in the 37th Annual Southeastern United States Honor Band held at Troy State University in Troy, Ala., Feb. 5-7.

       Five of the "Swarm" members went to Troy: Daniel Alexander (tenor sax), James Varner (percussion), Joshua Hellberg (alto sax), Laura Owens (flute), and Will Smith (euphonium). This event is held at the National bandmasters Hall of Fame at Troy State.

      The best band students from schools in 10 states in the southeast are nominated by their directors, and then chosen by the faculty of the Long School of Music. According to Matt Olsen, band director at SEB, there were some 350 students in attendance.

      Once they arrived, band members were quickly divided into three groups, each of which practiced together for the next two days. In between practices, experts in specific instruments gave special "Master Classes" in which they shared their knowledge about fine-tuning skills, such as armature and playing techniques.

     The event's climax was a special concert for the college community.

      After a one-week rest, a number of SEB band members attended the local Georgia Southern Honor Band held m in Statesboro.

      In attendance were SEB students Shannah Shearbeck (clarinet), Nick Flott (alto sax), Ashley Crowe (alto sax), Rustin McDonald (tuba), Connie Wyatt (trumpet), Bubba Beasley (trombone), as well as Will Smith and James Varner.

      Then, on Feb. 22, members of the "Swarm" were off again, this time to participate in the Georgia State University Honor Band in Atlanta. Invited to attend were Bubba Beasley, Connie Wyatt, Daniel Alexander, James Varner, Joshua Hellberg, Laura Owens, Will Smith and Alex Fordham (trumpet).

      While at GSU, the students were also invited to attend "Master Classes" in their particular events taught by GSU faculty. The event also culminated in a free public concert at the historic Rialto Center for the Performing Arts.

      The "Swarm's" three seniors (Daniel Alexander, Laura Owens, and Will Smith) have been at SEB for four years. Asked to comment about life in "The Swarm," all three agreed that their final year has been the most special of all.

      Smith said: "Last year's competitions were probably more fun simply because everybody in the band had been together for years. This year it was a lot harder, because all of our sections were full of freshmen. I guess you could say that this year it was our time to teach the new kids, as others had earlier taught us."

      Alexander said, "The greatest thing about this year's performance was that the hospital (East Georgia Regional Medical Center) was willing to step up to the plate and give us what we needed to look so sharp. It made us feel like they really wanted us to do our best, so we did our darndest to not let them down."

     Owens agreed: "While this year's theme, ‘Doctors and Nurses' was a lot of fun, what really made it so enjoyable was having all of the uniforms and props, like the stethoscopes and lab coats. These helped us ‘sell the show' to our audiences. It was their generosity that made it all work."

     As Olsen said, "We (Joey Mitchell and me) pushed the band this year. We never let up. We knew what they were capable of. Our final performance, at the Sounds Of Silver Invitational at Blackshear, Georgia was everything we had hoped for. Our scores were the highest we'd had all year."

    Olsen also said: "The overwhelming support that East Georgia and Bob Bigley gave us meant everything to me, Joey, and the kids. You should have seen their faces when the uniforms arrived. Next year's theme will be another challenge."