By: Nora Warner
Photo: Mr. Warner
Top Row (L to R): Ava Paese, Maya Walek, Tyler Marino, Hunter Sasala, Essylt Logan, Bradley Miehle, Austin Sasala, Carlos Urgiles, Alan Fogelsanger
Bottom Rom (L to R): Molly Fehringer, Isla Brennan, Phoebe Stevens, Sara Warner, Nora Warner, Adeena Chapman, Winnifred Morrison, Katelyn Foster, Laela Landon, Molly McGinnis, Ruby Tigue
Congratulations to the 20 students from Wallenpaupack who represented our school at the Northeast Tri-County Band Festival on Tuesday, January 13!
The Northeast Tri-County Band Festival consists of students from schools in Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties. The first Tri-County Band Festival was held in 2005. This year marks the 20th time the festival has occurred. Wallenpaupack, Western Wayne, Delaware Valley, East Stroudsburg North, and East Stroudsburg South High Schools attended. The event was hosted at Western Wayne High School.
Students had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Sarah Culp-Abrams, an accomplished conductor and current doctoral student in wind conducting at the Peabody Music Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. She brought both enthusiasm and expertise. The guest conductor selected a challenging program featuring both classic wind-band literature and newer works. Students performed:
Astra by Katahj Copely
This piece is inspired by the lens trail photography of stars and how it conveys a sense of freedom and adventure to the composer.
Waltz no. 2 by Dimitri Shostakovich/arr. James Curnow
Originally composed for orchestra, this excerpt from Shostakovich’s 2nd suite for orchestra is an instrumental music classic.
Downtown Divertimento by Johan de Meij
Each movement of this piece featured musical depictions of 3 New York City locations, respectively: Madison Square Park, Flatiron Reverie, and the High-line.
Tarantella by Carol Brittin Chambers
This piece featured a variety of styles that weaved together, featuring musical quotes from the classic melody The Itsy-Bitsy Spider.
Second Suite in F for Military Band Mvt. 1,2,4 by Gustav Holst
Holst’s 2nd Suite in F is a classic wind-band piece. Each movement contains catchy melodies passed between sections, giving everyone an opportunity to be featured.
After working on their music all day, the group performed a concert that night. Wallenpaupack Senior, Hunter Sasala, was featured as a soloist.
This event provided many great experiences for our students. They got to perform with people who have shared interests in music, and for many students, this was the first instrumental high school festival they had attended. The next performance featuring Wallenpaupack students will be the District 9 Orchestra concert at North Pocono High School on Friday, January 23rd, at 6:30 p.m.
