Saturday, April 12, 2014

The Subjective Tense


Obviously, there are a lot of differences between musical and athletic competition.

But the primary difference is one of scoring.

In athletics, there is no question who has scored the most goals, runs, baskets, touchdowns, you name it.

But scoring in musical competition is by its nature subjective. Judges, experts all, decide who "sounded better," a subjective decision if ever there was one.
Photos by Evan Brandt
The Pottstown High School Jazz Band prepares to perform Friday.

Certainly, they have done what they can to create a structure within which the scoring occurs.

So, as the announcer explained Friday night at the 26th Annual Cavalcade of Bands Jazz Band Championships at Souderton Area High School, the judges are required to score each band on such variables as tone and timing, phrasing and syncopation.

But in the end, it's still inherently subjective. I like blueberries more than raspberries and if I'm judging a pie contest, I don't care how good the crust is on the raspberry pie, I'm going to lean blueberry.

Whatever subjectivity the judges bring to any particular competition, a parent and a member of a school community is going to be more than subjective. They (I) will be positively biased. That's why they aren't the judges.

That said, there are those in the Pottstown Jazz Band community who nevertheless found themselves bewildered by the "Outstanding" rating given to the Pottstown players Friday night.

Understand, only a "Superior" rating is above "Outstanding," so it is nothing to sneeze at. But it was nevertheless difficult to understand given the context of the performances observed.
The Cavalcade of Bands has been invited to send
a marching band to the next Rose Bowl Parade.
This is the uniform, which was on display Friday night.

Not having seen any of the other bands that played before Cheltenham, I have no comment or complaint about their ratings.

Nor do I dispute that both Cheltenham and Perkiomen Valley deserved the "Superior" rating they received. They were both top notch.

But so was Pottstown.

I know I cannot claim complete objectivity, nor do I make any claim to it. But as a journalist I do have some experience with practicing objectivity.

I am not shy about acknowledging when Pottstown performs poorly or gets it wrong and from my vantage point, Pottstown's performance was crisp and tight and as good as I've ever heard them play, and I have heard every one of their performances this year.

But I can argue until I'm blue in the face. So I say don't take my word for it. Make up your own mind.

By chance both Souderton, which also received an "Outstanding" rating, and Pottstown played the same piece of music -- "Two Seconds to Midnight" -- Friday night, so an apples-to-apples comparison is possible.

Here is Souderton's performance:



And here is Pottstown's:



Did those two performances seem to be worthy of an equal rating to you?

If so, then you've probably stopped reading by now and have already chalked this post up to sour grapes. That is your prerogative.

This is the hat for Cavalcade's Rose Bowl Band
If they did not seem equal, even if you thought Souderton's to be the better performance, it does leave one wondering how they could both receive the same rating does it not?

Perhaps the answer is subjective.

Anyway, enough about that.

The highlight of last night's competition was the All-Star Jazz Band Souderton Jazz Band Director Adam Tucker put together to play three songs while the judges compiled their scores.

I'm posting their three performances here as something that has not already been posted on this blog multiple times.

As usual, I have posted video recordings of all three Pottstown performances, as well as all three performances by Perkiomen Valley, which was the only other local band competing and played very well.

Additionally, I have added the three All-Star performances and Souderton's as well to a playlist on my YouTube channel, which I have posted below.




Pottstown trombonist Sherif Mohamed as well as saxophonists Tamer Mohamed and Marley Bryan were among those chosen for the All-Star Band.

Since all the names of all the performers were not listed in the program, I can't list them here. But I was savvy enough to record Tucker's recitation of all the names prior to the first number, "Vine Street Rumble."




The second number the played will be familiar to Pottstown Jazz Band veterans, "The Running of the Bulls," which was part of Pottstown's repertoire last year.



Sadly, although my battery lasted until the end of the performance, my recording capacity did not and the last 40 seconds or so of the final number, "Birdland" was cut off. My apologies to the band members and lovers of jazz for poor camera storage management.



Friday night's competition at Souderton, which looks more like a wing of the Smithsonian than a public high school built, was in the Maynard Ferguson Division

The same night, at New Hope-Solebury High School, the Glenn Miller Division held their championships. It did not include any local bands.

Saturday night, the Woody Herman Division will be held at New Hope-Solebury High School, with Methacton being the only local band to compete.

At Souderton, the Duke Ellington Division will compete, which is where you will find the Boyertown Area High School's Big Band, led by Brian Langdon. Good luck to them.

Here are the scores for Friday's Maynard Ferguson competition:

Receiving "Superior" ratings were jazz bands from the following high schools: Bensalem, Radnor, Cheltenham, North Penn Columbia Jazz Band and Perkiomen Valley.

Receiving a "Outstanding" were Penn Wood, Archbishop Ryan, Souderton Lab, Pottstown and Souderton.
  • The Best Rhythm Section Award went to Cheltenham. 
  • The Best Saxophone Section Award went to Cheltenham; 
  • The Best Trumpet Section Award went to Radnor; 
  • The Best Trombone Section Award went to North Penn Columbia;
  • Best Sight Reading Award went to Radnor.
Here are the soloist awards:
  • Best Soloist - Ethan Lee Radnor
  • Best Soloist - Noah Becker Cheltenham
  • Best Soloist - Tajh Williams Penn Wood
  • Best Soloist - Neil Williamson Bensalem
  • Best Soloist - Marley Bryan Pottstown
  • Hon. Mention - Alex Dubuck Arch. Ryan
  • Hon. Mention - Dave Perlman Bensalem
The Overall Champion was Cheltenham who, in my subjective opinion, deserved it. I would say they were "excellent," but that is a lower rating

The judges for the evening were Jim Capolupo, Matt Gallagher and Frank Kosmaceski.

Zumba-thon to Fight Cancer



Blogger's Note: The following was provided at the last minute by the Pottstown School District:

Trojans For A Cure will be holding its first Zumba-thon to benefit Relay For Life.

It will be held this afternoon at Pottstown High School Gymnasium, 750 N. Washington St., from 12 to 2 p.m. 

They will be selling drinks and snacks at the event to keep you hydrated and your energy levels up.

The cost of the event is $10 for adults, $5 for students.

All proceeds go directly to the Pottstown Relay for Life.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Borough Council Was in for a 'Ruff Time

Photo by Evan Brandt

Bark for Life Spokesdogs Charlie, Right, and Guinness, left, paid a visit to Pottstown Borough Council Wednesday to promote Saturday's Bark for Life walk and to receive a proclamation from Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas.


(Remember to click the blue "read next page" bar at the end to get to the next page of thrilling Tweets.)

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

A Bucket Full of (Pottsgrove) School Board

Photo by Evan Brandt

Second graders at Ringing Rocks Elementary School lead an anti-bullying chant, urging children (and Pottsgrove School Board members) to be "bucket fillers." 





(Remember to click the blue "read next page" bar at the bottom of the Storify to read more.)

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

The Artfulness of a Housing Project

Photo by Evan Brandt

It was standing-room only at the town hall Q & A Monday on the project proposed for the old Fecera's building on Beech St. The meeting was held at ArtFusion 19464 on High Street, which has announced its intention to move into the building if the project comes to fruition.






Monday, April 7, 2014

That's a Lot of Bull

The Thomas Bull House in East Nantmeal
Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Tyler Wren, vice chair of the East Nantmeal Board of Supervisors.

Colonel Thomas Bull, a Revolutionary War hero and prominent figure in the history of Chester County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, will be honored with the dedication by the East Nantmeal Historic Commission of a roadside marker in East Nantmeal Township on Saturday, April 12.

Col. Bull acquired more than 500 acres of land in 1783 with the intent of developing a plantation, as well as the grist mill, saw mill and other enterprise assets that would become known as “Bulltown.” Part of a 1682 William Penn grant, the land was first owned by Owen J. Roberts and at the time of the Revolution was part of the Redding Plantation, now Reading Furnace.

During the Revolutionary War, the site became noteworthy following the “Battle of the Clouds” in September, 1777. After their ammunition and weapons had been drenched in a heavy rain, making effective defensive or offensive action impossible, Gen. George Washington and approximately 11,000 Continental troops camped in the vicinity of Bulltown to rearm over a two-day period. While Col. Bull was on a British prison ship at the time, his wife hosted Gen. Washington and his staff at the Redding Plantation, aiding the revolutionary cause.

You can find more history on the subject in the Olde Bulltown Village blog here.

The Bull Family Mansion House, across the road from the marker, is a significant and well-preserved historic resource. The exterior appointments, as well as the interior attributes, are fine examples of the late Georgian and Early Federal Period in American architecture, brilliantly capturing the transition between British influence and the independent American movement.

Local elected officials, including State Senator John Rafferty, State Representative Tim Hennessey, Chester County Commissioners Kathi Cozzone and Ryan Costello, and the East Nantmeal Board of Supervisors -- Jim Jenkins, Tyler Wren and Bill Cochrane -- are expected to be on hand when the role in American history of Col. Bull and his Village of Bulltown is commemorated. 

 Ceremonies, including remarks and the marker dedication, will begin at 11:30 am at Bulltown Road (Route 345) and Brownstone Lane, just north of Route 401.

The historic marker and the April 12 event are being underwritten by Stoltzfus Enterprises, which is emulating historic Bulltown in its nearby residential development. Stotzfus Enterprises will be hosting refreshments and open house tours for ceremony attendees.

“This roadside marker recognizing Col. Bull and historic Bulltown is the first of what we hope to be several such markers in East Nantmeal, a township founded in 1717 which today has many historic resources and more than 50% of its land area permanently conserved,” said Tyler Wren, Vice Chair of the East Nantmeal Board of Supervisors. “It is important that we honor our history in ways like this, so that our citizens and future generations will better recognize and treasure our historic resources and the ‘great experiment’ that was realized in the colonization of America and the creation of our independent United States.”







Sunday, April 6, 2014

Pedal and Paddle

First comes the pedal, which leaves Pottstown's
Riverfront park at 9 a.m...
The schedule for the increasingly popular "Pedal and Paddle" bike and kayak trips from Pottstown to Douglassville and back has been announced.

The first will be held Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Now, you can register on-line by clicking here.

Registration can occur up to one-week before the event, but space is limited to 15 people and these trips often fill up quickly. (You must be 16 or older to participate).

If the May 17 date does not work for you, the other dates are June 28, July 26, Aug. 23 and Sept. 13.

The trips include:
  • 4.5 mile bike ride using Bike Pottstown's yellow cruisers along the Schuylkill River Trail from Pottstown's Riverfront Park to Historic Morlatton Village in Douglassville.
  • Guided tour of Historic Morlatton Village.
  • Boxed picnic lunch at Ganshahawny Park in Douglassville
  • Brief introduction to kayaking
  • ...then the visit to Morlattan Village....
  • Paddle back to Riverfront Park
The cost is only $25 and includes the bikes, the kayaks, the kayaking gear and the lunch.

Each event begins with a 4.5 mile bike ride from Pottstown’s Riverfront Park to Historic Morlatton Village in Douglassville, using yellow cruisers from the Bike Pottstown bike share program. 

Participants are given a guided tour of Morlatton Village, a historic village consisting of four 18th century buildings that have been restored or are in the process of being restored, one of which is the oldest home in Berks County. 

...then lunch and kayak lessons at Ganshahawny
Park 

in Douglassville....
The village is located directly off the trail and is owned by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County, which provides a tour guide during the event. 

The buildings are only open to the public during special events. 

From there, participants take a short bike ride to Douglassville’s Ganshahawny Park where they eat a picnic lunch (provided) and receive a brief introduction to kayaking from outfitter Doug Chapman of Take it Outdoors Adventure Group. 

Then, they paddle back to Pottstown in kayaks along the Schuylkill River.

To begin, the group always meets at the Schuylkill River Heritage Area offices, located beside Riverfront Park, at 140 College Drive in Pottstown.

Registrants are asked to arrive a few minutes early, so they can sign a waiver and spend time in the
...and finally a leisurely paddle back to Pottstown.
River of Revolutions Interpretive Center, which is open during the event.

The tours are held rain or shine, however, if heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast the event may be canceled. If it becomes necessary to cancel, participants will be notified by email by early Saturday morning and a full refund.

All equipment, including bikes, helmets, kayaks, paddles and PFDs are provided. However, it is recommended that you bring the following items: water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, water shoes and bike helmet, if you prefer to use your own. 

For more information call the Schuylkill River Heritage Area at 484-945-0200, or email ckott@schuylkillriver.org.