In the fall of 1921, Samuel T. Burns, assistant superintendent of schools and director of music education for Medina County Schools, initiated what was to be later called the Medina County Plan. This plan made it possible for Medina County school administrators to secure and retain music teachers, with adequate training and successful experience, to teach in the county schools. Burns’ plan would allow for a comprehensive music program to be built in the Medina County Schools. The Plan made possible a varied and equalized program of music instruction at a moderate cost to each school and a fair degree of specialization in instruction through the employment of well-trained music teachers.
The Plan also called for the organization of honors organizations. A 60-member county honors orchestra, 75-member county honors band, and an honors chorus of over 100 voices were formed from students within the county school system. The students taking part in the ensembles were the most advanced and “best the county could offer.” Rehearsals were centralized and held regularly during the course of the year. Concerts were provided at various times during the school year as well. So successful were those groups that a county music camp was organized for one week during the summer.
The summer of 1982 saw a rebirth of Burns’ honors band concept under the leadership of Marcus Neiman, fine arts consultant. In 1990, fair honors orchestras were in place, but only through 1994. The fair honors choirs began in 1992. As of the 2008 fair season, two bands and two choirs perform as part of the Medina County Fair. Since their rebirth in 1982, 3,574 students have participated in the fair honors bands, 1,685 students have participated in the fair honors choirs, and 222 students participated in the fair honors orchestras.
These ensembles performed at the county fair and, since they rehearsed at the end of July and beginning of August, conflicted with pre-marching band preparation of the county high school marching bands. Neiman, with the help of then Highland High Schoolband director Daryl Kubilus and Wadsworth High Schoolband director Steve Hadgis, felt that the opportunity was needed for high school instrumental band students to have a countywide honors experience. The decision was also made to afford junior high/middle school students with the same opportunity.
The first junior high/middle school and high school “all-star” bands performed in 1993. The participating directors felt strongly that not only the best students but also those students who would benefit from an honors experience should be selected for the ensembles. Further, it was strongly encouraged that students in both honors ensembles should also have the opportunity to play on various parts of their music (first, second, and third) to give them more a sense of the music and the ensemble needs. Student potential and musical growth, as well as meeting and working with other county instrumentalists, were considered of equal importance to presenting a superior performance.
Since 2004, Steve Hadgis (Wadsworth High School), Edward Marquette (Highland High School), and William Turner (Highland Middle School) served with Neiman on the committee to oversee this program. Brenda Zacharias, administrative assistant for the Fine Arts Tours and Festivals, provides logistical assistance.
Gene Milford was chosen to write the first commissioned work for the Medina County Schools’ All-Star Junior High/Middle School Band in March of 2007. His composition Freedom Jubilee was the result.
Guest conductors for the ensembles have been:
Year High School Junior High/Middle School
1993 Robert Fleming Directors
Youngstown State University
1994 Nancy Ditmer Directors
College of Wooster
1998 Wayne Gorder Directors
Kent State University
1999 Michael Golemo Directors
The University of Akron
2000 Gary Ciepluch Directors
Case Western Reserve University
2001 Robert Jorgensen Directors
The University of Akron
2002 Patricia Grutzmacher Gayle Stalheim, retire
Kent State – University Mentor High School
2003 Stephen Gage Robert Feldbush, retired
Youngstown State University Cuys.Falls High School
2004 John Climer William Rasey, retire -
Ohio University Warren Local Schools
2005 Gary Ciepluch, Craig Sievert, retire - North
Case Western Reserve University Royalton High School
2006 William Guegold Vicki Smith, Copley High
The University of Akron School/Middle School
2007 Robert Hall Alice Koudela-Rudolph,
retired – Glenn Oak High School Strongsville Albion Middle
2008 Wayne Gorder Gene Milford,
Kent State University The University of Akron
2009 Howard Meeker William Bauer, Case
Cleveland State University Western Reserve University