Alvirne Bands are Superior in PA!
Submitted by Dave Walker, FOM Trip Chaperone
and Proud Parent!
There can be many ways to interpret superior, but
the recent performances of the Alvirne High School Concert Band, Symphonic
Band, Jazz Combo, and Jazz Band to perform in the Rhythms International Music Festival, Philadelphia PA were
beyond expectations. Performing at the Festival, which was held on April 21,
2013 at Garnet Valley High School in Glen Mills, PA, was part of the band’s
annual spring trip that also included some interesting and fun sightseeing in
the city of Philadelphia.
Under the direction of Gerry Bastien, District
Music Coordinator, and Director of Bands at Alvirne all
four groups performed flawlessly. Three adjudicators evaluated each group after
their performance and provided helpful suggestions. The adjudicators were David
Blumberg, Principal Clarinetist for the Philadelphia Symphony and voting member
of the Grammys, Steve Selfridge, first call Tenor Sax performer in the
Philadelphia area as well as Jazz Educator, Temple University and Craig Snyder
District Coordinator and Director of Bands Penncrest High School Media PA.
Performances began from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Later in the evening, there was a banquet and awards ceremony held at the
Double Tree for all groups that performed at the festival. The performance
groups from Alvirne were awarded a Superior rating that included a
commemorative plaque from the festival, a letter from the Mayor of Philadelphia
and a Betsy Ross Flag, representing the city of Brotherly Love. The AHS instrumental performance groups continued to
set the standard and everyone celebrated the recognition with music and dancing
during the evening. Student Musicians from Alvirne and St. Thomas Aquinas
Toronto Canada joined a live band on stage for some music jamming and energetic
sing along. Our own Mr. Bastien was invited up to the stage to perform…little
did anyone know that Alvirne has it’s own “King
of Rock ‘n Roll!”
In addition to the music festival, all students and
chaperones were treated to a variety of activities during the trip. Saturday
April 20 after traveling by coach bus for 7 hours students settle in the hotel
then prepared to be entertained at the New Candle Light Dinner Theater to the
Broadway musical Legally Blond. Just a quick aside, one of the actors was a
former roommate at UNH with John Bossleman a 2003 graduate of Alvirne High
School.
Sunday (April 21) was dedicated to performances and
the awards banquet. On Monday (April 22) had a day-long visit to Philadelphia
that included exploring the Zoo, running up the “Rocky Steps” in front of the Museum
of Art, visiting
the Liberty Bell, and touring Independence Hall. A fun night of bowling closed
out a busy day and a successful trip!
As Mr. Bastien always reminds the students “The band is judged not by its intentions,
but by it’s behavior. There is no second chance to make a first impression”.
The Alvirne Bands once again rose to the occasion
and met the high standard that is always expected during school trips. They
proudly represented Alvirne High School and the town of Hudson with class and
professionalism. The dedicated behind-the-scenes work by Mr. and Mrs. Bastien, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Landry from CSL Tours along with
all the adult chaperones, who take time out of their personal lives, made the
trip one to remember and once again demonstrated how our band students “Choose
To, Want To, Love To!”
No comments:
Post a Comment