The Cross Timbers Middle School honors band was selected to perform at the 2011 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL. The 63-member band was selected from entries from all 50 states, and is one of only three middle school bands nationwide to receive this honor. The band, under the direction of Asa Burk and assistant director Mary McCracken, will travel to Chicago in December 2011 to perform at the music education conference.

 To achieve this honor, the students began preparing concert music in January. The band performed a concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas on March 5. A recording of that performance was submitted for consideration to Midwest Clinic officials. "The band worked hard to prepare this concert,” says Burk. “These kids are really into playing their instruments and making music. It was fun to watch them get excited about playing in the Meyerson.  Having that performance be selected for Midwest is just magical.”

 The Midwest Clinic was created to raise the standards of music education, improve methods employed in music education, and develop new teaching techniques. More than 15,000 music educators representing every state and more than 30 countries attend the annual conference. In addition to attending clinics, lectures and demonstrations, attendees are treated to 30 concerts from some of the nation’s top performing groups.

"This is an amazing group of musicians,” says Burk. “It is a very special thing to get to make music every day.  Being recognized like this on a national level is something they will remember for a lifetime.  I'm so proud of the kids."