Drury High School Band & Bandfront Newsletter

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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 Winners Senior 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.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

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. 

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