Dr. Travis J. Cross, guest conductor for this weekend’s performance of the Chesterfield All County Band, has been wanting to conduct the best of the best in Chesterfield County for some time. Cross is an assistant professor of  music at Virginia Tech, where he conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in conducting. “They have a  great high school program in this district.  I have been waiting to come for a long time,” he said.  “It is a great opportunity to be here.”  

Band students from 10 high schools participated in the Friday and Saturday event, which included sectional seminars preparing for the concert.  Hosts were Thomas Dale High School Band Directors David Holley and Steve Barton.  Holley said honor players from each of the high schools in Chesterfield County were nominated by their band directors in November to participate.

Cross, a composer of several works, had two of his compositions conclude the late afternoon concert on Saturday.  “Tribute” and “Looking at the Stars.”  “Tribute” is a slow lyrical piece and “Looking at the Stars” is a celebratory, joyful and, according to Cross, exuberant piece.  The All County Band also performed “Galop” by Dimitri Shostakovich, “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre and “Joy Revisited” by Frank Tickeli.