St. Mary's Hall-Doane Academy Band

 

 
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  Upper School Band at the Hall regularly has about 25% of the Upper School population participating. The first Hall public performance for the band was at the Christmas Bazaar on November 18, 2000. As of September of 2007, we have a total of thirty-eight students playing band instruments. All band students receive a weekly lesson at no charge.

 

Public performances of our Hall Upper School Band now include:

Band members play solo selections during chapel services and participate in the Annual Small Ensembles Recital in June.

 

Several of our band graduates are now involved with the band in the college of their choice. Currently, Richard Hart plays in the band at Hampton University. Jason DeLisser plays in the band and orchestra at the University of Pennsylvania. Ryan Willinger is playing with the band at Rider University and Josh Koropchak is involved in the music program at Transylvania University.

The musical education our band members receive will serve them well throughout their lives. Many will find opportunities to play in bands and orchestras wherever their jobs and careers take them.

 

The musical selections they have learned in our band programs (classical titles, popular jazz or rock) will stay with them and will be a source of joy in their hearts. The music we learn in our youth continues to please us throughout our years.

 

However, what they have learned in their band activities and rehearsals goes well beyond the titles that appear on the concert program. In band, they are learning the value of team work. They are learning that their music contribution is both unique and highly valued. They learn commitment to the band, handling themselves appropriately in front of an audience and the need to be thoroughly prepared before stepping on-stage. They learn the importance of the care their instrument requires to function properly and to respect the property of others. The musical opportunities often result in traveling to places and sharing exciting experiences they might never know were it not for their musical skills. Our band students regularly hear heartfelt applause for them, a sound many students never get to hear. They experience the satisfaction of seeing and hearing their months or years of preparation being appreciated and warmy received by large audiences. Through their musical events they realize that they count; that their work brings joy, excitement and pleasure to their friends, families and hundreds of people they don't even know. In the process they will meet many musicians who share their same interest and love for the careful process of preparing beautiful music and having the courage to step onto the stage and present their polished performance to others.

Finally, they may come to learn that the skills required to prepare and play music come to them as a gift from God. Not all are given that gift. But for those to whom God has given that gift, these musicians have a precious gift to share with others.

 

Ron Bennett
Director of Music
St. Mary's Hall-Doane Academy