Drury High School Band & Bandfront Newsletter ~ June 12, 2003~
"Best Band in the Berkshires"
Email: drurymusic@hotmail.com
Website: www.northadamsschools.com/musicdept/
W. District Music
Most audition music for next year's Western District Music Festival is now available. If you are interested in auditioning for this terrific musical experience, OR if you would just like to look over the music, contact Mr. Jenkins for music and other audition requirements. Let's have a great representation from Drury at District next year. Strive to be excellent at what you do.
Summer Newsletter
You should be receiving a summer newsletter sometime in later July or early August. This newsletter will contain information concerning uniform distribution, freshmen marching practice, jazz band sign-ups, our ever-popular Car Wash, & PICNIC, full marching practice and other items. If you don't receive a newsletter by August 10th please contact a band officer.
Alumni Concert Big Success
Thanks also to the countless people who made our Alumni Concert such a success on May 31st. Special thanks are extended to Gene and Justyna Carlson for organizing the event and to Tracy Melito who produced our program. Thanks to the students who took time out of their busy schedules to attend and ultimately see how music has touched the lives of so many previous Drury musicians. Thanks also for all the wonderful food - and a special thanks to the alumni who so enthusiastically participated - especially our alumni musicians at Joga who provided yet another "Concert"…thanks.
Congrats
Where do I begin? Congratulations to "everyone" involved in band or band front this year. We should all fell proud of the progress we made this year.
Great performance at Commencement - "Overture in Eb" was very exciting. Our marching performance in the Fall Foliage Parade was wonderful.
Our trip, "Superior" Ratings, and performances in Montreal will be a wonderful memory for us all.
And our Excitement of Gold in Greenfield, and playing in Ozawa Hall - Congratulation and Thanks.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Friends & Parents of the Drury High School Band will take place on Wednesday, September 10th at 7:15 P.M. in the Drury High School Library. We urge everyone to attend this meeting. Everyone is welcome.
Many, Many Thanks
A successful year such as we had would be impossible without the incredible hard work of many people. In only hope I don't leave anyone out. First thanks to all the student who worked hard, set their expectations high and took ride in their playing and the group. Thanks also to those active band parents who do so much for their kids, and everyone's kids. you're all terrific. Thank You Band Parents…for making all the "Dream" projects possible & for all you do. It makes a big difference. These events are great for the students for me and for the program. Thanks Banquet Committee for such a terrific event, we all appreciate it. A very special thanks to Carole Miller and Al Lescarbeau for many amazing years of service to our organization and musicians. You all have a large impact on this organization and therefore on all the students who pass through it. We'll miss those who are graduating with their seniors. Don't be strangers.
As we approach a new school year it's imperative that we all set goals for ourselves.
This Summer work On:
1. Scales- knowing your scales means you don't have to relearn them every year. More demanding requirements on the horizon.
2. Long Tones- concentrate on Tone, Intonation and Expand your Dynamics. Think of all those comments by adjudicators - improving your tone and dynamics will help all your playing.
3. Do more Listening- Mr. Rowell (conductor of U. Mass. Wind Ensemble) said it best when he said how difficult it is to have a concept of what a good band should sound like if you don't hear one frequently- listening assignments will continue to be an important part of our program next year.
4. Come Back Ready For a Challenging Year- we're going to have to work harder next year if we want to maintain our "Best in the Berkshires" Status. There are some bands working hard to take that title away from us.
5. Work on getting better over the summer- think about how little some of you work during the year. If everyone works a little harder wonderful things are attainable next year…things many of you may think are impossible. Think About It
Scholarship & Award WinnersSenior Scholarships
Nicole Plante
Stephany Holmes
Bethany Lorge
Amanda Miller
Andi Lescarbeau
Liz Wol
Tyler Forgea
Joan LaValley-Leary
Curt Yannone
Alicia Chenail
Greg Vecellio
Sarah Tourjee
Lindsay Kushnet
Ryan Krysiak
Ally Holmes
Summer Scholarships
BillieMarie Taft
Steven Felix
Sarah Benoit
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Curt Yannone
John Philip Sousa Award
Allyson Holmes
Berkshire Symphony Award
Bethany Lorge
Paul Hartery Memorial Scholarship
Allyson Holmes
Nicole Plante
Williamstown Chamber Series Tickets
AnnaMarie Messenger
Haylee Jones
Sceva E. Whitney Memorial Scholarship
Allyson Holmes
June Birthday's
8 Jenna Taft
13 Greg Vecellio
14 Katie Ameen
15 Joyce Vallieres
18 Emily May
29 Adam Beer
July Birthday's
7 Emily Tremblay
11 Alicia Chenail
13 Sarah Benoit
14 Marissa Parker
14 Elizabeth Morey
16 Ashley Riordan
18 Brandie Cancro
Drury Band Front Award
Lindsay Kushnet
Betty Von Mosch Memorial Music Scholarship
Liz Wol
Musicianship Awards
Allison Elder
Stephanie Burdick
Abby Wood
Anna Marie Messenger
Morgan Rougeau
Morgan Rougeau
Matt Hockridge
Curt Yannone
Greg Vecellio
Sarah Benoit
Zack Soha
Allyson Holmes
Liz Wol
Bethany Lorge
Billie Marie Taft
Joan LaValley-Leary
Merit Awards
Raquel Babeu
Sarah Benoit
Nicole Plante
Andi Lescarbeau
Jordan Gardner
Liz Wol
Jenn Beebe
Matt Hockridge
Allison Elder
Morgan Rougeau
Allyson Holmes
Bethany Lorge
Greg Vecellio
Ryan Krysiak
Emily Tremblay
Sarah Tourjee
Lindsay Kushnet
Amanda Miller
Joan LaValley-Leary
Good Luck Seniors - Don't Become Strangers
Nicole Plante
Alicia Chenail
Amanda Miller
Lindsay Kushnet
Tyler Forgea
Curt Yannone
Bethany Lorge
Sarah Tourjee
Liz Wol
Ally Holmes
Emily Tremblay
Stephany Holmes
Greg Vecellio
Andi Lescarbeau
Ryan Krysiak
Joan LaValley-Leary
Officers For Next Year
President- Billie Marie Taft--Parents, Co-presidents-
Vice President- Christa Melillo--Parents,Anita Konopka & Deb Soha
Secretary- Kara Senecal--Parents,Donna Rivard
Head Treasurer- Allison Elder--Parents,Rick Wood
Asst. Student Treasurers:
Raquel Babeu
Meaghan Hockridge
Morgan Rougeau
Jackie Williams
Abby Wood
Mandy Brule
Matt Hockridge
Julie Fruscio
Katey Ziter
Allison Petri
Zach Soha
Sarah Benoit
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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