The 2002 Honors Band concert held Sunday at Wharton Center featured some of the best high school musicians in the state.

After submitting demo tapes to the MSU School of Music, 90 high school students were selected to participate in the event. The all-star concert was the finale of intensive rehearsals held all weekend, along with workshops given by the School of Music faculty.

“The faculty evaluated over 200 tapes this year and every year it’s getting more competitive among students,” said John Whitwell, director of bands at the School of Music. “I’m very excited about how successful the program is becoming and seeing the best high school musicians in the state.”

Whitwell said soon after arrival students were assigned to a chamber of the full band and given a chance to play in smaller bands.

“They were given a chance to rehearse in a smaller band with an MSU faculty member specifically coaching them on their instrument,” he said. “They also received good advice on how to perform and play better.”

Music school faculty arranged housing for 40 students who traveled from across the state to be in the eighth annual Honors Band.

“Several families who are alumni or have students in the band participated in hosting guest students,” Whitwell said.

John and Beverly Webb of East Lansing play in the MSU Alumni Band and hosted one of several students that was placed with local families.

“We have been involved with the music school here for years but this is our first year hosting a student,” Webb said. “We’re very excited because we haven’t hosted a student before and we both are happy to be a part of this.”

Wesley Broadnax, assistant director of bands at the School of Music, said it takes a lot of hard work organizing the concert and getting students placed.

“We started placing students a month ago because we had more students this year,” Broadnax said. “Everything seems to come together good for us this year.”

Stephanie Konchel, 16, from Troy Athens High School, was selected to participate in the Honors Band concert after playing her instrument, the bassoon, for one year.

“I’ve played the cello for six years before I started playing the bassoon,” Konchel said. “But to be selected to this program for the first time for the bassoon is exciting.”

Megan Duffy of Troy was hosted by the Webb family.

“The program gave students a chance to see the campus and meet other students involved in similar interest,” Whitwell said. “Hopefully they’ve enjoyed their experience and will want to come back.

He said the program also gave MSU a chance to help public school music programs across the state.

Sunday’s concert ended with the Honors Band performing “K