Summer band students play before audience of family, friends
By:Eric Schwarz
The summer band students had the chance Friday to demonstrate what they learned in the past four weeks to their families at an end-of-summer concert.
The students, entering fourth through 12th grades this fall, performed solos and group numbers at Manville High School’s auditorium for an audience of 50.
Many of the 63 students at different levels of experience displayed their musical knowledge in exercises from their practice books, symphony pieces and popular songs. Band director John Pepe accompanied them on piano and drums.
It was 40 minutes for the students to show the talents they had picked up and display them to an appreciative audience.
Two students were recognized for holding a note for an extended period. Melissa Grimm was honored for holding a note for the longest period and Shena Alvarado was honored for most improvement in holding a note.
Shena started playing the flute only at the beginning of the summer program four weeks earlier, and had advanced to the intermediate level by last week.
She had played the clarinet before but switched to the flute this summer.
The students came to the stage in groups of one to five to show their musical proficiency.
Joshua Michalski was one of four beginner students taking up the saxophone.
His mother and his brother came to hear him perform "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Joshua, a Ricky Martin fan entering the fourth grade, said he doesn’t know whether he will continue with the sax.
Kathy Michalski said her son had come a long way since he began four weeks earlier.
Bonnie Burris’ dog Bud, an English springer spaniel, howled along with her as she practiced the clarinet this summer.
Bonnie, also entering fourth grade, will play with the band at Roosevelt School this year.
Bonnie counts as some of her favorite bands Britney Spears, ‘N Sync, the Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees and the Dixie Chicks. She also likes rock ‘n’ roll oldies.
Mr. Pepe said the band program in Alexander Batcho Intermediate School should get a boost this year with the elimination of block scheduling.
Block scheduling is holding longer, but fewer, classes which leaves less flexibility in the school day to schedule activities.
Some students quit band practice last year and now are returning because the schedule will now allow it.
Mr. Pepe saluted several students who went to a marching band conference and workshop at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., with students from throughout the country.
"The kids pay out of their own pockets for the love of music," Mr. Pepe said. "We have a standard of excellence.
"This will empower these students to help the other students in the band to meet the expectations of excellence we have in the band."
The last day of the summer band program was also a day to relax and talk about the rest of the summer. Mr. Pepe was planning a hiking vacation, and talking with junior Stacie Fritz about plans for the fall.
"It’s a respect between the students and the band director," Mr. Pepe said. "We understand we can accomplish anything as long as we work together."