Inspirational day at UMASS for Nessacus Musicians!

"Being in a Band is one of the best things you can do with your life. And don't let anyone tell you different."
-George Parks

It was an awesome and inspiring day at the University of Massachusetts yesterday as the Music Department staged its annual Multiband Pops concert. Nearly 120 Nessacus Music Students attended the event which required 3 school buses to get us there!

Once there, members of the Minuteman Marching Band escorted all of us into the Fine Arts Center where we joined 1,800 other elementary, middle and high school students. The energy and excitement in the room was palpable. After a brief introduction by Music and Dance Department Head, Dr. Cox, the lights dimmed and the show began with a French Horn ensemble with no less than 9 Horn players! The program continued with performances by two wind ensembles, 3 jazz groups, an orchestra and several mallet and percussion ensembles, one of which included a contemporary dance performance.

Following a needed intermission (most students expressed an urgent need for the bathroom at this point!) the real excitement began as the UMASS Minutemen Marching Band took the stage and played through their PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN show which was in turns inspiring and downright foot tapping and hand clapping stuff.

Towards the end of the program Marching Band Director George Parks took the stage (his charismatic leadership style in full force) to conduct the band-members of whom then moved out into the auditorium and literally stood and played directly in front of us (we had the sousaphone section with us!!) while the drumline directed by Thom Hannum remained on stage.

The finale featured the UMASS Minuteman signature song MY WAY (made famous by Frank Sinatra) which they sing arm in arm:

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
Ill state my case, of which I'm certain.

Ive lived a life that's full.
Ive traveled each and ev'ry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

To add to the message, George Parks (who by now is standing on a wall in the middle of the auditorium) said this to all 2000 of us in attendance:

"Being in a Band is one of the best things you can do with your life. And don't let anyone tell you different."

Amen. Thunderous applause by all students in the house indicated agreement with this statement. As a Middle School Band Director, it doesn't get much better than that.

Thank you to our parent chaperones-Mrs. Genaway, Mrs. Beauchesne, Mrs. Knapp, Mrs. Paro, Mr. Ciepiela, Mrs. Hopmans, Mr. Ellsworth, Mr Garrett, Mr. Roos and Mrs. Volk.