Nine student musicians from the Coastal Carolina University Symphonic Band were selected out of more than 300 statewide collegiate performers to participate in the 19th Annual South Carolina College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Intercollegiate Band.

Participants in the event, held Jan. 19-21 at Furman University, include Jacob Abarbanell, junior music education major, on percussion; Neil Abercrombie, senior music education major, on tuba; J.T. Abrams, senior music performance major, on euphonium; Christopher Imes, junior history major, on clarinet; Crystol King, sophomore music education major, on alto saxophone; Arieal Lesure, junior music performance major, on clarinet; Nicholas Lewis, sophomore music education major, on trombone; William Saylor, sophomore music education major, on horn; and Tyler Tuncy, freshman music education major, on horn.

Rodney Dorsey, associate professor of conducting and director of bands and the Oregon Wind Ensemble at the University of Oregon, conducted the 100-member S.C. intercollegiate ensemble.

While Coastal students have participated in the S.C. intercollegiate band over the past decade, this is the second year in a row that CCU has had eight or more of its student musicians selected. The two-and-a-half day event included a rigorous rehearsal schedule, sectionals and individual practice sessions in the McAlister Auditorium of the Department of Music.

"Students who are selected to participate in state, regional or national intercollegiate bands are considered among the finest musicians in the country," said Richard Johnson, CCU professor of music and director of the CCU symphonic band. "South Carolina Intercollegiate Band is one of the few in the country where the students work with internationally recognized conductors. The South Carolina experience is unique in that regard."