Music students to showcase talent
Date: 3/7/2013
By Lori Szepelak
lori@thereminder.comLONGMEADOW — Love music? Town students in grades 5 through 12 will be showcasing their concert repertoires during the Longmeadow Band Festival on March 13 in the high school gymnasium. Show time is at 7 p.m.
"It is a very popular event that fills the gymnasium at Longmeadow High School," said Daniel Albert, music teacher and director of bands at Glenbrook Middle School and Williams Middle School.
Albert noted that students have been working on their concert repertoire since the beginning of the year, learning musical concepts through performance.
"The middle school music program seeks to build upon concepts learned in elementary school, as well as prepare students for the Grammy Award-winning high school music program," he said. "We also have an extensive general music curriculum at the middle schools."
Albert added that between the performing ensembles and the general music classes offered, students are receiving a "quality music education."
During the band festival, each band will perform a program, followed by a grand finale of all bands performing one song at the same time.
"The festival is also an outstanding educational event as younger students have the opportunity to see the level of ensembles that they can participate in just a few years from now," Albert said.
Additionally, concert attendees have the opportunity to listen to the progression of student performances, noting an improvement in sound performance and repertoire from the elementary school bands to the high school band, he added.
On a related note, Band Day 2013, featuring Michael Mucci, director of instrumental music at Longmeadow High School, and faculty from the Community Music School of Springfield, will be conducted March 7 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Longmeadow High School.
"We are fortunate to have the continuing support of the Longmeadow Educational Excellence Foundation, with their sponsorship of this great event," Albert said.
