More than 300 talented band students of all ages attended pyramid concert at West Springfield High. Photo contributed
On. Jan. 12, after school, band students from Cardinal Forest Elementary School, Hunt Valley Elementary School, Keene Mill Elementary School, Orange Hunt Elementary School, Rolling Valley Elementary School, West Springfield Elementary School, Irving Middle School, and West Springfield High School met in the West Springfield High School auditorium to rehearse together, eat dinner together and perform. More than 300 talented band students of all ages attended. Some were on stage, some were in front of the stage and others lined the aisles. It was heartwarming to watch and listen as students of all ages, sizes and ability levels were able to pull together as a team as they played a variety of music. The evening ended with a combined performance of Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony,” which brought an appreciative audience to their feet.
The West Springfield and Burke areas have strong band programs. Parents and students are reminded that the study of a musical instrument is one of the most effective ways of developing a child’s mental potential. It is also the only discipline that develops the student physically, intellectually, and emotionally. Watching the teamwork and hearing the beautiful music performed at West Springfield Band Pyramid Band Concert was both uplifting and impressive.
Pyramid band directors: Vic Bernhards, Susan Deck, Eileen Fraedrich, Tammy Freeman, Eric Hoang, Jaime Holscher, Sharon Jeanes and Jake Kohut.