LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University Bands Director Daniel Atwood has been invited to guest conduct at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 4 Band Festival, being held from January 11-13 in Clearfield.  Atwood received the invitation last January and has spent the last year planning and preparing for the festival.
 
The band is comprised of 182 students, representing 23 schools in District 4.  The students were selected for the band through an audition process and will re-audition on Thursday in hopes of being selected to the Regional Festival. The festival includes schools from Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata and Mifflin Counties.
 
The festival begins on Thursday morning with rehearsals, which continue through Friday.  The festival will conclude with a concert on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Clearfield Area Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium. The concert is open to the public. 
 
Atwood has previously guest-conducted several County Band festivals, but this marks the first time he has led a district-wide ensemble.
 
"It is a great honor being asked to guest conduct the PMEA District 4 Band Festival," said Atwood. "I need to thank Jenni Lazauskas of Philipsburg-Osceola for asking me to guest conduct this event. I remember participating in districts when I was a student and recall what a great experience it was having the opportunity to work with a collegiate band director. I hope to give these students the same memorable experience I had as a young musician."

For more information about the festival, please visit here.