Pottstown student musicians in the state capitol building.
No one can accuse Pottstown students of a lack of esprit d' corps.
Whether its in Harrisburg, West Chester or Kutztown, Pottstown student musicians are making names for themselves, as well as making music.
Most recent, the halls of the State Capitol were alive with the sounds of music thanks to the Woodwind and Brass Ensemble groups from Pottstown Middle and High Schools.
The ensembles are under the direction of Nancy Mest, Rachel Ficca and Katie German.
They were part of Music In Our Schools Month.
The ensembles participated in a lunchtime concert series held in the East Wing of the capitol building in Harrisburg.
State Sen. Bob Mensch, R-24th Dist., attended the event and talked with the Pottstown students.
State Rep. Tim Hennessey, R-26th Dist. arrived in time to get into the photo shown above.
After the performance, students were given a guided tour of State Capitol Facility.
The Pottstown High School Jazz Band in West Chester
The Pottstown High School Jazz Band showcased their talents at the West Chester University
Jazz Festival on March 25.
The overall band received the coveted "superior" rating,
while the trumpets won the "outstanding trumpet section" award.
Pottstown's "Outstanding Trumpet Section" at West Chester.
That section is comprised of Nick Wilson, Will Minnick, Mitchell Aquino, Abby Welder and Jacob Eagle
In addition, trombonist Kyle Kratzer won an honorable mention soloist award.
Not to be outdone, the Pottstown Middle School Jazz Band, along with, Spring-Ford, and Boyertown Junior High, won outstanding performance recognition at the annual Kutztown School District Jazz Festival on March 18.
Pottstown Middle School students performing in Hershey's Music in the Parks.
Blogger's Note:The following was provided by the Pottstown School District.
Recently, the Pottstown Middle School’s concert and jazz bands, under the direction of Ben Hayes,
Ben Hayes with the 3 trophies.
competed in the annual “Music in the Parks” Music Festival held in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Both bands earned first place with the highest possible rating of “Superior.”
The jazz band was recognized not only for its talented play, but was the recipient of the coveted “Esprit De Corps” Award which recognizes the band that displays the best attitude, behavior, and sportsmanship throughout the entire festival.
“I am extremely proud of all of the accomplishments of our students and how well they represented Pottstown," Hayes said.
"In the middle of our competition, an emergency occurred with a student from another school district and our students were asked to wait quietly in the auditorium," Hayes said.
"While waiting, they noticed that the festival host needed help clearing the stage of chairs and other equipment. Our students, without being asked, volunteered to help," he said.
"I try to teach my students, through music, character above all else and they showed their true character today.”
Pottstown Middle School’s music program has distinguished itself in the areas of concert and jazz band.
They help to lay the foundation for the outstanding high school music programs and give the school district and the community another reason to say, “Proud to be from Pottstown.”
Another year, another Jazz and Spaghetti Dinner at Goodwill Fire Company.
As always, organizers, headed up by Kevin Owens, President of the Pottstown School Music Association, did a bang-up job.
Food was cooked; tables were set up; chairs were placed; tablecloths; balloons (news this year); trash taken out; sauce ladled; music performed. It was, in other words, a smashing success.
The event raises money to pay for music education in Pottstown, including performances outside the area, spreading the word about Pottstown musicians.
Mike Vought, John Armato and Kevin Owens.
Of particular note this year, to this seasoned veteran anyway, was the quality of the younger bands.
The elementary jazz band was excellent. Unfortunately, they played first and, as the official ladler of sauce, I was unable to escape my duties and get a recording.
But trust me, they were good.
I know the high school jazz band gets a lot of ink from me. That's because my son plays with them and I am at most of their performances.
I was going to try to scale back, but they unveiled a new number yesterday and it is one of my all-time favorites -- "Birdland," which I was introduced to through the version by the jazz fusion band Weather Report. (Click here for a link to a live performance video with the great Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul and the always mighty Jaco Pastorius.)
So here it is the Pottstown High School Jazz band's version of the classic (I'm told they only practiced it twice, maybe three times.):
Jo Ann Bathurst and her mom, Florence Schumacher, 103
And really stepping up their game was the middle school jazz band, which was remarked upon by many, not just myself. In fact, I would say to the high school jazz band, you had better watch your back, those middle school kids are gaining on you.
Also noteworthy was the presence of four generations of the Bathhurst/ Schumacher/ Francis genome.
Florence Schumacher, 103, was there, as she was last year. She is the mother of Jo Ann Bathurst, who is the mother of School Board member Amy Francis, who was there with her husband Julian, who are the parents of Gabe and Chloe Francis, both of whom are jazz band members.
So, good-on-ya I say.
Anyhoo, a good time was had by all, and there were lots of willing hands to help with the clean-up, including School Board member Kim Stillwell and her retinue.
This video gives a quickie over-view of the fun, and is followed by the Tweets and photos I managed to sneak in between lading sauce and spooning meatballs.
You like live music performed by talented students, all for one low price right?
Then you know what you're doing next Saturday.
You are heading down to the Goodwill fire station on High Street, slapping down a mere $10 and then enjoying an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner while you listen to Pottstown students jazz up the evening.
The meal offers homemade meatballs on that spaghetti; bread; beverage and dessert, as well as the satisfaction of knowing that your enjoyment helped to fund music education in Pottstown.
Can't beat that with a stick.
Here's a taste of how much fun you'll have (sorry, I have no video of the middle school jazz band. Hope to get some thins year):
Below is a performance of last year's high school jazz band at the spaghetti dinner where they debuted a new number.
Photo brazenly stolen from Lisa Heverly's Facebook post
The Pottstown Middle School Jazz Band shows its spirit (and its mad Jazz Band Skills) in Boyertown.
Boyertown Area Senior High School held its 10th annual Jazz'n in B'town festival; Saturday and the place was hoppin'.
And it seems that Pottstown walked away with a whole lot of hardware.
According to the program, five middle school and junior high school jazz bands performed, as well as 11 high school jazz bands and the Sunnybrook Ballroom dance band.
However, the program apparently left out the Pottstown Middle School Jazz Band which took revenge for the slight by kicking ass and taking names, or rather medals.
According to a Facebook post by one of the parents, Pottstown middle schoolers, led by the mighty Ben Hayes, received the ONLY superior rating out of all the younger bands and took "all section awards and two individual awards."
Pottstown Tenor saxophonist Marley Bryan with his soloist award.
London Aquino won the best saxophone solo Friday night at the Methacton Jazz Festival and the band received a "Superior" rating there as well.
Meanwhile, back in Boyertown, at the high school level, Pottstown received an "Outstanding" rating and tenor saxophonist Marley Bryan added to his list of musical accomplishments by winning an award for his solo performance.
The accomplishments at both levels is all the more remarkable given the strict nature of the judging.
The judges were Michael Cemprola, Chuck Dressler and Larry Marshall.
Of the nine high school bands competing for ratings, only two superiors were given out and given that last night's performances were, in this humble music-lover's opinion, all top notch, that is some tough judging.
All the better I say. Pottstown proved, once again, it can swing with the best of them.
Here are the ratings for the high school bands:
Easton -- Outstanding
Saucon Valley -- Excellent
Reading -- Outstanding
North Penn Columbia -- Outstanding
Oley -- Outstanding
Joes Jazz Cafe -- Outstanding
North Penn Navy Band -- Superior (They WERE amazing)
Pottstown -- Outstanding
Quakertown -- Superior
The Boyertown Area Senior High School also performed its three-song set, but as the hosts, was not rated.
Representatives from the nine high school jazz bands being judged, line up on the Boyertown Area Senior High School stage to find out who won what awards.
Here are the section awards:
Best Rhythm Section: North Penn High School Navy Band
Best Trumpet Section: North Penn High School Navy Band
Best Trombone Section: Quakertown Community High School Jazz Ensemble
Best Saxophone Section: Easton High School
And now for the fun part. Below you will find not only Tweets and fuzzy photos from last night's even (at least the high school parts, but full performance videos of Pottstown and Boyertown.
Also, as an added treat and not with some technical issues which mean I am probably sleeping while you're reading this, five, count 'em, FIVE performances by the Sunnybrook Ballroom Dance Band.
Many of those players are former band directors from area high schools and at least one, Boyertown Music Director Brian Langdon, is a current band director.
The Pottstown Middle School Jazz Band with their "Superior" rating from a recent competition at Arcola Middle School.
Blogger's Note:John Armato, whose appreciation for the musical arts only continues to grow, provided the following.
The Pottstown Middle School jazz band proved that when it comes to jazz there is no middle ground in the Pottstown School District program which is recognized for outstanding bands at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels.
The middle school band, under the direction of Mr. Ben Hayes, earned the top rating of “Superior” at the Arcola Jazz event.
Will Minnick with his
"Outstanding Soloist" award from
the Arcola jazz completion
Competing against bands from Spring-Ford, Pottsgrove, Pine Brook, and Penndale, the band made its presence felt by performing “Groovin’,” “Freddie the Freeloader,” and “Blues Machine.”
The trumpet section of Mitchell Aquino, Will Minnick, AJ Ecker, Nick Wilson, Kiersten Heverly, and Jonathan Brusk earned recognition as the “Best Trumpet Section.”
Will Minnick gained individual honors by receiving the “Outstanding Soloist Award.”
“This band has shown incredible growth over the course of this year," said Hayes. "They work hard as a team so that they can perform well on stage."
"We are not the largest district in the area but we have proven that we are able to compete with much bigger schools and show how great our music department is," Hayes added.
"Our students are beginning to believe in themselves and the idea that good work habits and determination will make any goal obtainable. Their performance makes me say I’m proud to be from Pottstown.”
Members of the jazz band include:
The "Best Trumpet Section" with their award from the Arcola jazz competition.
It was a full house Saturday night as Goodwill Firehouse was packed to the gills with hungry jazz fans and Pottstown School District music students raised the rafters with some spectacular performances. This was the view from the meatball serving station.
Imagine this: It's a lovely spring evening and you want to take your significant other (or better yet, your whole family) out for a tasty dinner and perhaps some music.
Problem is, you've only got a few bucks in your pocket.
Maybe most of your entertainment budget went into your home's often-empty oil tank this year, or a malevolent pothole threw your alignment from here to the moon -- and back.
Quite the dilemma you face oh-seeker-of-mealtime-entertainment.
If only there was some place you could go, a place of "Good Will," where wholesome and delicately boiled carbohydrates, hand-rolled meatballs and the best jarred red sauce could be had for a song ... and with a song even....
Photo by Evan Brandt
The food...
Heed our words, oh seeker of music, mirth and meatballs, for your answer lies within reach.
It is none other than the return of that most marvelous and most melodious of meals; that mellifluous melange of melody and meal time, that provision of pasta perfection; that juggernaut of justifiably jammin' Jazz; that ....
... too much?
OK, sorry.
Ahem, let's start again.
The Pottstown Schools Music Association will present the second annual night of Jazz and Spaghetti on Saturday, March 29, at the Goodwill Fire Company, 714 East High St. in Pottstown.
Photo by Evan Brandt
The musicians....
Pottstown's high school, middle school and elementary school jazz bands will provide the music entertainment while the parents of the Pottstown Schools Music Association provide the pasta.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children younger than 10 and children under 5 eat for free.
It starts at 4 p.m. and lasts through 7 p.m.
It will be three solid hours of auditory and culinary enjoyment; an one-a-year experience made possible by a small band of fearless volunteers and the equally fearless children of this community; children who have stepped forward, students who will to rise up, instruments in hand, straining mightily against the bonds of beat and baton which bind them to this earth; students who will issue musical notes which soar to the ceiling notes which.....
Photo by Evan Brandt
The well-fed audience....
...what's that? Too much again?
Right.
So advanced tickets can be purchased.
You can get them by calling Debi Schiery at 610-505-3077. Or, you can buy them at the door.
So there is your choice, leave your loved ones at home, wallowing in spaghetti-less, Jazz-less misery, wondering if its even worth breathing in another day's air...
....OR.....
Photo by Evan Brandt
The chefs....
You can fire up the family wagon (or the family bicycle as the case may be), heck, call up grandma and grandpa and crazy Uncle Fester, gather them all together and toddle on down to the Goodwill Fire Company, open up your wallet, enjoy some good food and some good music with your neighbors and help music education in Pottstown.
Just think what a big spender everyone will think you are.
Don't worry, we won't tell them what a bargain it really is....
And, if you still haven't figured out how much fun this is, below is a video I made of last year's event.
If this doesn't convince you to come, perhaps you should consider seeking professional help....
One of my duties as a father/ blogger is the shameless promotion of activities with which my son is involved and this is one of those times.
The Pottstown Schools Music Association is holding its first Jazz and; Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, April 20, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Goodwill Fire Station on High St.
Proceeds from this event will benefit ALL district music students.
Posted here is a copy of the ticket order form that was also sent home with most students.
If you don't have a student in Pottstown schools but would love to come, you can print out this page or, better yet, click on this link and you can print out a clean copy of the form to turn in to a music teacher in any Pottstown school.
Tickets are $8 for adult, $5 for ages 6-10, and 5 and under are free.
Please return your order form by Friday, April 5, which will help the volunteers prepare in advance.
The dinner includes: spaghetti, meatballs, bread and butter, coffee, tea, iced tea, lemonade and dessert.
I have not yet heard the high school jazz band perform this year, so I'm looking forward to it. Plus, as some of you who may have seen me lumbering down the street can attest, I love pasta.
And, if you want a taste of what kind of entertainment you will enjoy, here is a video of the Pottstown Middle School Jazz Band performing "Smackwater Jack" at Arcola Middle School during a recent competition there.
They received a rating of "excellent" as I recall, as well as being named the best trombone section.
And, if that wasn't enough to whet your appetite, for both more jazz and a delicious spaghetti dinner (did we mention they've got meatballs?!?) here is another taste of the entertainment.
This is "I've Got Rhythm," again from the middle schoolers.
So come on down. Enjoy some dinner, see a show and help promote music education in Pottstown. It's a win/win/win!
The Pottstown School District is inviting the public to a night of free Jazz entertainment tonight, Wednesday, April 25, 7 p.m. at Pottstown Middle School.
The night will be featuring all three jazz bands Pottstown School District has to offer starting off with the Elementary Jazz Band.
The Elementary jazz band will be performing a number of original compositions and arrangements by director, Mr. Brian Langdon.
These numbers include an arrangement of "Louie, Louie" which will be sure to get everyone rocking and a world premier of a Latin number titled "Devious."
Next up will be the Middle School Jazz Band under the direction of Benjamin Hayes. They will be performing a number of jazz charts including "Sweet Caroline" made famous by Neil Diamond and "Dynamite" made famous by Taio Cruz.
There's a pretty good chance the Middle School band will perform this little Duke Ellington number:
The night will be caped off by the award winning High School Jazz Band under the direction of Michael Vought.
If you haven't heard the high school jazz band yet, watch this video of them playing "The Running of the Bulls" and it might convince you to make time this evening for a great show:
This band has been awarded many superior ratings, section and soloists awards at local jazz festivals.
They will be playing a few new charts that they haven't played in public so far.
These include "I Got You" by James Brown, "Free Ride" by The Edgar Winter Group and "Respect" made famous by Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.
If you need an early James Brown fix to get you started, here's an oldie and a goodie:
Make sure you swing by for a great night of jazz that will feature all of Pottstown finest musicians.
Members of the Pottstown High School Jazz Band, shown here at the Boyertown Jazz Festival, are: Pierce Bertoti, Marley Bryan, Sam Dudley, Glenroy Greiss, Aaron Kemmerer, Ryan McMahon, Amira Mohamed, Sherif Mohamed, Tamer Mohamed, Amy Moyer, Sara Pargeon, Frank Scaltrito, Joseph Schaaf, Marisa Somich, Miranda Somich, Jeffrey Vontor, Brandon Wilson, Tyler Windish, Jacob Wunderlich
OK, so I had the info for how the Pottstown Middle School Jazz Band did at the Boyertown Jazz Festival last weekend, but could not stay for the high school performances.
Then, ta-da! Like magic, director Michael Vought provided the info to Pottstown School District's Minister of Information, John Armato, who passed it along to me and voila! We have a complete report.
Since I've already reported on the middle school performances (see below) on our web site, we'll put the high schoolers results up top here. This the release Armato sent:
Recently the Pottstown High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Michael Vought, participated in the annual Boyertown Jazz Festival. They received a “Superior” rating for their performance. The “Trombone Section” was recognized for receiving the Outstanding Trombone Section Award. Members of the trombone section included: Tyler Windish, Amy Moyer, Jeffrey Vontor, Sherif Mohamed and Ryan McMahon.
Individual honors were gained by Tyler Windish, as the Outstanding Soloist player (trombone) and drummer Jake Wunderlich also received an Outstanding Soloist award. Mr. Vought had high praise for his entire band. “Our young people have been working very hard at perfecting their performance. Many hours were spent individually and as a group to ensure that we represented our school and community with a quality performance.”
Other schools taking part in the event along with Pottstown were Boyertown, Wilson West Lawn, Easton, Governor Mifflin, and Reading.
Here is the middle school stuff:
(Blogger's Note:If you read this already on The Mercury web site Monday night, my apologies. But hey, the video is new!)
BOYERTOWN — Seven area school districts sent jazz bands to this year’s Seventh Annual “Jazz’n In B-town” Jazz Festival Saturday.
I was present for the middle school portion of the program (sorry high schoolers. but hey, it was my day off).
Participating were bands from the middle schools in Governor Mifflin, Spring-Ford, Pottstown, Wilson West and Boyertown.
Because Boyertown hosted, it was not part of the competition, but it did perform nevertheless.
The Governor Mifflin “Diplomats,” under the direction of Heather Griffin, performed “Living in America,” “Cool, Joe, Mean Joe (Killer Joe),” and “Cantaloupe Island.”
The Spring-Ford Middle School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kris Jennings, performed “Perdido,” soloist was Brian Doman on electric bass; “My Funny Valentine,” soloist was Max Reese, alto saxophone and Hannah Flood on trumpet” and “Grooved Pavement,” soloist was Max Reese on alto saxophone, Evan Truckley on trumpet and Luke Smirga on trombone.
The Pottstown Middle School Jazz Band, under the direction of Ben Hayes, performed “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “Pure Imagination,” soloist was Justin Beasley on alto saxophone; and “Oye Coma Va,” soloist was John Johnson on trumpet.
Wilson West, under the direction of Jon-Thomas Houser, performed “Gospel John,” “All the Things You are,” and “Salsa Nueva.”
The Boyertown Junior High Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Michael Jordan, performed “Shiny Stocking,” soloist Ty Botts on piano; “Cold Duck Time,” with soloists Adam Helmer on tenor saxophone and Amber Strohl on alto saxophone and “Second Line,” with soloists including Cameron Crider on trumpet, Adam Helmer on tenor saxophone, Amber Strohl on alto saxophone, Zach Talis on trombone and David Ziegler on trombone.
Mifflin, Spring-Ford and Pottstown all earned a rating of “Outstanding,” while Wilson West was deemed “Superior” by the judges.
Here are some of the other results:
• Pottstown — Best Trumpet Section;
• Wilson West — Best Trombone Section;
• Spring-Ford — Best Woodwind Section;
• Wilson West — Best Rhythm Section;
• Vaughn Golden of Governor Mifflin; Max Reese from Spring-Ford and John Johnson from Pottstown were all named “outstanding soloist; and Robby Dalton of Wilson was named “Overall Outstanding Soloist.”
