BUZZ IN THE HALLS by Pam Koharchik: A look at happenings at Allentown High School.
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Hopefully, this weekend will find us free of snow, or at least, free of the threat of snow, so that we can go on with our weekend excursions.
Seven kids from Allentown High School are certainly hoping that the weather will be cooperative so they can participate in the prestigious Rutgers State Honor Band Festival, to be held on Saturday. Selection for participation is yet another accolade that brings even more distinction to the AHS band.
The journey to the festival begins with a lot of hard work and the notice of high school band director Pete Mauro. He writes to the festival organizers and nominates band members, based on their interest, musical ability, leadership and potential.
This year, the seven musicians who will participate are: Jennifer Joyner (senior, piccolo), Tammy Struk (senior, flute), Rob Meissner (senior, trumpet), Joe Nobles (senior, trombone), Christopher Skeehan (senior, tuba ), John Nedick (junior, clarinet) and Christopher Remm (junior, tuba).
Once accepted, the students are divided among three ensembles and, approximately three weeks before the festival, they are sent the music they will perform. When sent the music, they also find out what chair they are (based on the degree of musical difficulty and their ability). This year, ALL SEVEN were chosen as first chairs.
According to Christopher Skeehan, who has participated in this before, the students will arrive in the morning and practice all day. They perform a march, a ballad and two other choices. Each ensemble is under the direction of a great conductor, either one on staff at Rutgers, or a visiting conductor.
After stopping only for a lunch break, the young musicians will perform for the Rutgers staff and the students’ families and friends at 7 p.m. in the Rutgers Concert Hall, which Christopher described as "awesome and beautiful." He says the greatest part about the day is that it’s "a lot of fun, you meet a lot of cool people and you get to play with really great conductors."
Tammy Struk, one of the marching band’s drum majors, has participated in The College of New Jersey’s Honor Band previously, which she said was a bit harder in that you get the music that day. She is really looking forward to the Rutgers experience. "It’s a great musical experience, where you get to meet and play with all different people."
Considering there are up to 100 people per ensemble, that is a lot of new, but yet similar, people to meet. Tammy’s future plans include majoring in music education, possibly at Georgian Court College.
It’s a good thing that the festival is this weekend, in that the band has a date to keep the following. "Yeah, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York is coming up," reminds Tammy. They have won first place four times in a row, and seven times all together.
"We’ll be on NBC at 11 a.m., in the front of the parade, wedged between Mayor Gulliani and Gov. Pataki."
"I hear there’s some bad blood there," offers Chris.
Perhaps they should seek some combat pay when they (hopefully) collect their fifth trophy in a row.
Buzzing in the halls this week: Anyone who missed the production of "The Will Rogers Follies" should be ashamed of themselves, especially since it was the last spring musical performance for senior leads Chris Lee, Esther Pesciotta (whatta voice!), Jeremy DeAngelo and Jayne Ruddiman (what stage presence!).
Although the play itself was a lot of fun to watch, it was Chris Lee’s post play speech that drew the most emotion from the crowd, when he spoke about the members of the senior class, Jeff Buckalew, Ian Alspaugh and Peter Chiste, who passed away in the last year. Peter was one of Chris’ closest friends. Anyone who’d like to make a donation to any of their scholarship funds is asked to contact the Guidance office for more details . . .
Read Across America was celebrated last week in all the district’s school libraries. Once again, Yvonne Van Hise whipped up some awesome green eggs and ham (no, really, it was good!) to serve while staff members, retired staff members (Dr. Vona), and even a state trooper read from their favorite selections to students who were grateful for a chance to break from the school routine and enjoy the spoken word.
Pam Koharchik is an English teacher at AHS. Buzz in the Halls is a regular feature.