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Community Christian Academy Band performs on 9/11

The Community Christian Academy High School Band in Paducah, Kentucky took a trip to the local mall on September 11, 2023. They performed in each main court of the mall, starting with taps played by band director Lyz Hornbeak, followed by God Bless America played “flash mob style.” The seniors started the piece with members walking up and joining in. Seventeen students contributed to the performance. According to their director, Lyz Hornbeak, “It was a very moving experience for the students and many mall patrons stopped to tell us how moved they were.”

Lyz is a member of The Band Directors Marching Band and will play piccolo in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. Congratulations to the Community Christian Academy Band for their SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC.

Mt. Juliet High School performs livestream 9/11 ceremony

The morning of September 11, 2023 began at Mt. Juliet High School with an observance featuring the Star-Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance, and Amazing Grace in honor of those lost during the 9/11 attack. The performance, by the Mt. Juliet High School Band, was livestreamed to the entire school. According to Assistant Band Director Sherie Grossman, “We heard from faculty and students that it was a moving tribute. Our hope was to bring honor to those we lost 22 years ago, and to help the student body at Mt. Juliet High School never forget those events.”

Mt. Juliet High School is in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. The band is led by Tony Cox and Sherie Grossman who are both members of The Band Directors Marching Band (snare drum and clarinet). Congratulations to the Mt. Juliet High School Band for using music to serve the school community and honor the heroes of 9/11!

"Newsies" creates musical video to honor First Responders

Robin White is a trombone player in The Band Directors Marching Band and a band director in Belpre, Ohio. This summer, Mr. White directed the Disney musical “Newsies” at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Members of the cast were excited to have a chance to participate in the SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC initiative.

In honor of first responders, the cast of “Newsies” made a video performing Roger Emerson’s arrangement of “Stand in the Light” by Stephen Mossio and Lauren Christy. Mr. White said, “Our cast was able to briefly rehearse and record ‘Stand in the Light’ before our final performance of ‘Newsies.’ We want to share with you and encourage you to never be afraid to be seen for who you are just as the first responders did on 9/11. Thank you to our first responders who stand in the light every day. As the lyrics in “Stand in the Light” proclaim, “The greatest risk you’ll ever take is to stand in the light and be seen for who you are.”

The video of the cast of “Newsies” performing “Stand in the Light” was posted on social media on September 11 in honor of first responders. Here is a link to that video.

Congratulations to the Actors Guild of Parkersburg Cast of “Newsies” (shown below) for their outstanding SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project!

Bedford Bearcat Band serves the community with music

Members of the Bedford High School Bearcat Band of Bedford, Ohio frequently share their musical talents and gifts in service to their community. In recent months, the Bedford Band performed the National Anthem at the local Memorial Day ceremony and again at the September Bedford Historical Society Art & Artisans Festival.

On Saturday, September 9, the band honored America by joining with eleven other area high school and college bands in a performance of “America the Beautiful” at the North Royalton Festival of Bands.

The Bedford Band is directed by Jennifer Shauf, who is a clarinet player in The Band Directors Marching Band.

Congratulations to the Bedford High School Bearcat Band for continuing to serve the community with music!

Olathe Civic Band performs at community festival

Retired band director and BDMB member Dean Davison and his daughter Lindy Rhodes performed with the Olathe Civic Band from Olathe, Kansas, on September 9, 2023 at the Olathe Old Settlers Day Festival. This community band with more than 100 members performs five to six concerts each year. The Civic Band performed a concert on a new outdoor performance stage in downtown Olathe during the community festival. The concert featured several patriotic selections honoring our country and service women and men. These included "An American Fanfare," "National Emblem," "American Riversongs," and "Armed Forces Salute."

Congratulations to the Olathe Civic Band for using music in service to the community!

“A Day of Remembrance” at Mississippi's Olive Branch Middle School

On Monday, September 11, 2023, Olive Branch Middle School in Olive Branch, Mississippi hosted a community ceremony entitled “A Day of Remembrance.” Featured in the ceremony was the Olive Branch Middle School Honor Band performing “America, the Beautiful.” The band is directed by Terri Green who is a mellophone player in The Band Directors Marching Band.

Speaking of the ceremony, Terri wrote, “What a blessing to be part of this community. Today we remember the events of 9/11/2001 and honor our local first responders. The Olive Branch community of schools came together to reflect and pay tribute to our Olive Branch First Responders. Elementary, middle, and high school students and city and school officials honored our America, the Beautiful.”

Congratulations to the Olive Branch Middle School Honor Band for an outstanding Service Through Music project!