First Place and Superior Ratings for Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band
Posted on 05/11/2017
Congratulations to the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band for their performances at the Kings Dominion, Music in the Parks Festival. Both bands won first place and Superior Ratings. Ensembles from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia performed. They played for judges that included Dr. Andrew Koch, the Director of Bands at the University of Virginia. The judges listen with the music in front of them. That allows them to make specific written and taped comments that we review as a band. Many times, they are hearing the same comments I have made in rehearsals, but it is helpful to hear the ideas from another source.
The students toured Washington D.C. including the Air and Space Museum and the Newseum. The Newseum is devoted to the First Amendment and the role of a free press in democracy. There, the students participated in a discussion of the role of the First Amendment in the Civil Rights Movement. The students viewed a documentary and had a thoughtful conversation that demonstrated that they are not your average group of middle school students. The students enjoyed a special exhibit, titled, Louder than Words, which explores the influence of music in politics and social movements around the world. The idea of music’s power to change the world, rather than just entertain, inspired students to reach for their best performances.
Before we left for our hotel in Fredericksburg, the students walked along the Tidal Basin to tour the Franklin Delanor Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. At the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, students surveyed quotes from Dr. King. One of my favorites is, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." As the sun came down Friday, the students were at the Lincoln Memorial. Some of us also spoke about how Marian Anderson sang a concert there when the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow her to perform at Constitution Hall because she was African-American. Students saw the stone that marks the place of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
After our performances on Saturday, the student’s also excelled at the King’s Dominion Roller Coasters including the Intimidator 360, Volcano, and the Dominator. Thank you very much to all of the parents that took off to chaperone and help our students. These students are great ambassadors from Phoenixville.
