At the beginning of September, some seventh grade band members are nominated for SCIBA Middle School Honor Band based upon recommendations from Mrs. Hardy. The SCIBA committee members include at least one student from every school, but they cannot accept every seventh grader who is nominated. The bands would be too huge! SCIBA picks students so that they end up with balanced instrumentation in all three of the honor bands. Balanced instrumentation means the ideal number of flutes, oboes, clarinets, and all other instruments. For example, the bands wouldn't sound very refined with 54 trumpets and only 2 trombone players. In past years, Clarke has been fortunate enough to have two or three band members selected to represent Clarke at the festival.
Eighth grade band members in the SCIBA district will have the opportunity to audition and earn a prestigious position in one of the SCIBA Honor Bands at the beginning of October. Auditions will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at North Middle School in Waukee, Iowa.
Red Band - The Red Band is composed of 7th grade band members selected from teacher recommendations.
White Band - The White Band is composed of some 7th grade band members selected from teacher recommendations, as well as from 8th grade band members selected from auditions.
Blue Band - The Blue Band is composed of 8th grade band members selected from auditions.
Students who are selected to participate in SCIBA Honor Band will receive folders of band music in October to practice. On November 4, 2025, those students will travel to Ankeny Centennial High School to rehearse all afternoon with a guest conductor, as well as with the other students from the SCIBA district who are participating in the bands. There will be a special concert that same evening at 6:30 PM in Ankeny which families and friends are invited to attend. The price of admission is $3 for each adult and $2 for each child.
Please click on "Photos" to view pictures of past honor band participants.
The South Central Conference (SCC) has a middle school honor band which includes students from Clarke, as well as Albia, Cardinal, Centerville, Chariton, Davis County, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, and Knoxville. Band directors may select some middle school band students to participate, although there are some restrictions on instrumentation. All of the seventh and eighth graders will rehearse and perform together in one band. Students who participate in SCC Honor Band will receive folders of band music to practice. On March 26, 2026, these band members will participate in an afternoon rehearsal with the guest conductor and the selected students from other area schools. There will be a special concert that same evening at 6:30 PM which families and friends are invited to attend. The admission fee to the concert is $3 per adult and $2 per non-participating student. This year, Chariton will host this honor band.
Please click on "Photos" to view pictures of past honor band participants.