The Band Directors Marching Band Salutes First Responders Page 3

On Friday, September 15th, 2023, the Pride of Morehead Band from Eden, North Carolina performed a special arrangement of “Amazing Grace” to honor First Responders, military service personnel, and those who lost their lives on that tragic day. The performance also featured members of the Morehead High School Choir and JROTC programs and took place at the McMichael vs. Morehead football game at Morehead’s Panther Stadium.
 

The Pride of Morehead Band is under the direction of Nathan Hines and is the performing arts ambassador for Morehead High School. Nearly twelve percent of the students at Morehead High School participate in the band program. Hines plays trumpet in The Band Directors Marching Band.

Congratulations to The Pride of Morehead Band!

Rain did not stop the Barton Community College Band from performing their Service Through Music project on September 11, 2023. Although originally planned as a flagpole ceremony at the college in Great Bend, Kansas, the event was moved indoors. According to band director Jamie Minneman, “We invited area first responders and gave them certificates of appreciation signed by the students, talked about the tragedy 22 years ago, and performed the music that The Band Directors Marching Band will perform at the memorial. It was a great event.”

Jamie Minneman is president of the Kansas Music Educators Association and an alto saxophone player in The Band Directors Marching Band. Thank you to the Barton Community College Band for honoring First Responders with music!

For a SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project, the Lewisburg Area High School Band used the scheduled marching band rehearsal on Monday Sept. 11 to record an arrangement of Carmen Dragon's "America the Beautiful” for the purpose of creating a short video project. Students were asked to submit photos of family members, or others closely related to the band, who work as first responders or medical professionals. The photos were added to the recording and the video was posted on social media later that evening to thank these individuals and commemorate the solemn occasion. The video may be viewed here.

Lewisburg Area High School is in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The band is led by Daniel Schwanger who is a mellophone player in The Band Directors Marching Band. 

Congratulations to the Lewisburg Area High School Band for using music in a creative way to salute those who serve!

Shelby Lam is the head band director of the Lindsay Public School in Lindsay, Oklahoma. She and her students created a SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project entitled “Walk to Remember” that took place on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Here is how she described the event:

"The band students ranging from 7th-12th grades and even a retired teacher performed the National Anthem and our local American Legion raised the flag. We then had a moment of silence followed by an introduction/recognition of all of our First Responders in attendance. The community then walked our track in honor of the fallen with a goal of 3.66 miles in honor of the 366 fallen First Responders from 9/11. We also sold shirts, silent auctioned a picture, and even had a snow cone stand to raise funds for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. I am proud to say we raised $1,434.02 for the NFFF! This organization holds a special place in my heart since my father is a retired firefighter and will be attending the Macy’s trip with me along with my husband."

A piccolo player, Shelby Lam will march in The Band Directors Marching Band in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Congratulations to the Lindsay Public School Bands for their amazing SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project!

The Pauline South Intermediate School 6th Grade Band is led by Meridith Neuer, who plays cymbals in The Band Directors Marching Band. Ms. Neuer describes her band’s SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project:

"I took our Pauline South 6th grade band students to the Forbes Field fire department (outside of Topeka, KS), to play for them in honor of Patriot's Day and in remembrance of 9/11. Along with our art teacher’s help, they also created a Pauline South keepsake as a way to show their appreciation. It was presented to the firefighters when the band performed. In return, the students were able to take a tour of the fire department and learn about their day-to-day operations. We are so proud of these band students to be able to learn their song and put on this special event during the first four weeks of school!"

Congratulations to the Pauline South 6th Grade Band!

The Pauline South Intermediate School 6th Grade Band is led by Meridith Neuer, who plays cymbals in The Band Directors Marching Band. Ms. Neuer describes her band’s SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project:

"I took our Pauline South 6th grade band students to the Forbes Field fire department (outside of Topeka, KS), to play for them in honor of Patriot's Day and in remembrance of 9/11. Along with our art teacher’s help, they also created a Pauline South keepsake as a way to show their appreciation. It was presented to the firefighters when the band performed. In return, the students were able to take a tour of the fire department and learn about their day-to-day operations. We are so proud of these band students to be able to learn their song and put on this special event during the first four weeks of school!"

Congratulations to the Pauline South 6th Grade Band!

The Pauline South Intermediate School 6th Grade Band is led by Meridith Neuer, who plays cymbals in The Band Directors Marching Band. Ms. Neuer describes her band’s SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project:

"I took our Pauline South 6th grade band students to the Forbes Field fire department (outside of Topeka, KS), to play for them in honor of Patriot's Day and in remembrance of 9/11. Along with our art teacher’s help, they also created a Pauline South keepsake as a way to show their appreciation. It was presented to the firefighters when the band performed. In return, the students were able to take a tour of the fire department and learn about their day-to-day operations. We are so proud of these band students to be able to learn their song and put on this special event during the first four weeks of school!"

Congratulations to the Pauline South 6th Grade Band!

The Philip Barbour High School Band recently completed its SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project. On September 8, 2023, the band joined with VFW Post 410 in their endeavor to donate and install a new flag and flagpole at their football field, BCBank Park. The band donated funds, and their time for the dedication, preparing “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.” The band then performed prior to a football game for the dedication. The flagpole was dedicated to Philip Barbour High School military veterans. A wreath was also laid in honor of First Responders, particularly those lost on 9/11. 

The Philip Barbour High School is in Philippi, West Virginia. The band is led by Victor J. Iapalucci who is a tenor saxophone player in The Band Directors Marching Band and president of the West Virginia Bandmaster’s Association. 

Congratulations to the Philip Barbour High School Band for using their musical gifts to honor veterans and First Responders!

Student musicians in The Colony, Texas performed at four local fire and police stations on September 11, 2023. Performances were designed to salute and thank First Responders for their service to the community. Performing groups included:

• The Morningside Elementary School Choir

• The BB Owen Elementary School Choir

• The Camey Elementary School Choir

• The Griffin Middle School Band

• The Griffin Middle School Orchestra

• The Lakeview Middle School Band

• The Colony High School Band

A video of the events was compiled by the Lewisville Independent Schools Communication Department

The day of SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC was organized by Leigh Ann McClain, who is the director of bands at Griffin Middle School and a piccolo player in The Band Directors Marching Band. 

Congratulations to the many music students in The Colony, Texas!