Newsletter & Archived Updates on the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program
June 2009
Mr. Mazzeo at National Conference
Frank Mazzeo, left, Pennsbury Instrumental Music Coordinator, and Jon Woods, Director of the Ohio State University Marching Band for 25 years, at the The MENC (The National Association for Music Education) Music Education Week in Washington, D.C. Mr. Mazzeo presented a workshop with Dr. Woods to over 200 music teachers from around the U.S. discussing what goes into making a successful music program.
May 2009
Senior Recognition
Congratulations to the following members of the class of 2009 who were given awards at Senior Recognition Night:
Concert Jazz Band:
- Richard Beem
- Matthew Adler
- Benjamin Lupinacci
Marching Band:
- Pamela Carmasine
- Robert Algazi
- Amy Lynes
Academic Award:
- Andrea Curran - Silver Medal, Instrumental Music
May 2009
Pennsbury: Among Best 100 Communities for Music Education
I just wanted to make you aware that the Pennsbury School District has been reinstated to the 'Best Communities for Music Education' in the United States again. I thank you for making this possible, but more importantly for what you do for our students.
Thanks,
Frank Mazzeo
January 2009 Newsletter
An Excellent Marching Band Season
by Mr. Frank Mazzeo
When you see the Pennsbury Marching Band perform so many things go into it besides the performance. So much hard work, commitment, and dedication from a tremendous amount of people. The kids work hard, the parents work hard, the staff works hard, the administration works hard. I'd like to thank the people that make this a truly wonderful experience.
I would first like to thank the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Boosters. The word here is "boosters", and you most certainly did boost to make this a better experience for your kids, and it made our band better. Thank you President Karen Fox, Vice President Stan Gursky, Vice President Dave Willard, Treasurer Christine Herbst, and Secretary Paula Adler.
As a director and staff when we go into a competition, we want to concentrate on the performance. We know our kids are kept safe by the Pennsbury chaperones. The chaperones really get to know the kids, and the kids do get a chance to know them. I would like to thank the Pennsbury Marching Band chaperones with a very special thanks to the head chaperone, Mr. Mike Petty.
The community totally supports our program as was evident from the half million dollars raised for Hong Kong. I would like to thank the community for their continual support.
I would also like to thank the school administration, which supports us tremendously. They continually support us and are always inquiring 'How did the band do over the weekend?' 'What's going on with the band?' They say, 'The band looked phenomenal.' I would like to thank Mr. David Bowman, our principal here.
I would personally like to thank my staff for a tremendous year and for the things that we did this year. I had a vision for the band about four years ago when I started and we are here now. When I look for staff, the first thing I look for is somebody who is going to be great with kids. The staff we have here is absolutely phenomenal with kids. They are true professionals. I would first like to thank Mr. Mark Capriotti, our Associate Band Director. I would also like to thank Mr. Lou Randazzo, our marching and maneuvering technician. He's been with us for four years and does tremendous work with the group.
I would like to thank Miss Lisa Clark and Miss Kristen Peers. I would like to thank Mr. Alan Price for marching and maneuvering, especially the individual marching you see the kids do. I'd like to personally thank Mr. Bob Gupta. Our field show was special and it is because of Bob's artistry.
I want to thank the officers. They did a fantastic job this year. When you see the band on the field, you can imagine the number of things that goes into our performance. The officers are where the rubber meets the road. They've done tremendous job this year and they have taken the tradition to a new level.
Bensalem was the first time that I was ever up in the stands to watch a Pennsbury performance. I'm usually down on the field. It was absolutely amazing. I just couldn't believe what I heard and what I saw.
It is my sincere pleasure to be the Director of the Marching Band. I want to thank all of you for your hard work. I'd like to thank you for your professionalism. I'd like to thank you for the goose bumps that you gave me this year. I would like to thank you for keeping the tradition alive and the joy and the honor that you bring to the community. Our community is very, very well represented by these outstanding young men and women.
Frank Mazzeo
Pennsbury School District Instrumental Music Coordinator
Director, Pennsbury High School Marching Band
Band Photographs
by Sue Curran
Many of you have noticed the band photographs posted on the web site by Ezi Algazi, the band's web designer. These are a continuation of the tradition of a parent volunteer serving as the Band Photographer throughout each year. The photographer takes candid photos of our students so that the parents can order prints and digital images of them taken from a closer angle, at rehearsals, inspections and other times they are doing their thing. The photos include Marching Band and the Jazz Bands plus concerts, parades, and the banquet. Also, the Photographer keeps a record of the program's events every year including trips, visiting bands at our festivals and even the beautiful field decorations produced by the Activities Committee. This year, several photographers have helped out with this year-long task, including Dave Willard and Mike Leon. Mr. Bowen, our festival and concert announcer, has been the band photographer in the past and teaches photography at PHS East. Other parents help out as well, so it is a group effort among our Band
Family, with expert support by the web designer in posting the shots for viewing and ordering.
The photos also serve as a fundraiser for the Band Boosters. The price is $1.00 per 4x6 print and per-digital image burned onto a CD. Enlargements are also available. This year, the photos were not watermarked to save time. However they are compressed before posting on the web site, so a downloaded image from the web site only has 5% to 10% of the pixels, or the sharpness and density, of the original photo. So if you have downloaded them, they still are $1.00 each and the downloaded image will not be at the same high quality as a print or digital image ordered from the Photographer. The profits made from the sale of the pictures helps to support annual Band Booster expenses, such as the expense to host the web site, the 'hot line' telephone service, etc. So please pay for pics that your or your student may have downloaded.
The photos on the web site are organized into numbered Folders to make it easy to keep track of which ones have been viewed for ordering. Many parents order prints throughout the year, and then order a CD of all of those images at the end of the year. Because no negatives are supplied with the prints, having a CD of the digital images will allow you to reproduce those pictures in the future, such as pics for the Senior Poster at Senior Recognition night. Please contact the Photographer with any questions or requests that you may have. Please make checks out to the "Pennsbury Band Boosters" and pick up orders at the booster meetings. And Thank You for allowing me to take pictures of your terrific kids!
Contact: smcurran@att.net or curranappraisal@gmail.com.
Fund Raising 2009-2010
by Stan Gursky
As we finish up the marching band season we can all sit back and take a break from the rigors of our schedule and reflect on our students' achievements. All right, that's enough relaxation and retrospective!!! We have County tryouts on tap, a District Concert that will feature over 20 of our students; a very entertaining PCJB and Lab Band calendar of events; and concerts in store from our 9th Grade Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Winds. We also have to get busy preparing for our '09-'10 New Year's trip to London, England, that was approved by the School Board on 12/11/08)!
And as you all should know by now to me that means we need to pick up the pace on fundraising. Whether it's for trip accounts, annual operating benchmarks or to fund our Staff's wish list for equipment improving our children's educational experience, the generous cash flow from our community has been an instrumental part of our success.
Call For Help
We appreciate the initial response for assistance and have been contacted by a few folks ready to be a part of our fundraising activities. The more members that step up and help will reduce the overall work load and allow us to investigate additional opportunities.
We are especially in need of assistance leading up to and during turn in and distribution nights. Tasks include distributing new activity packets, sorting bulk goods from previous month's orders or organizing / implementing a particular fund raiser. Additional help is needed prior to meeting nights with the coordination or assembly of literature packs, coordination or pick up or storage of product from vendors, coordinate or participate on a committee for a specific program or special event. If you have a specific talent – or great contacts – and feel that you would like to lead or participate in one of the programs, we would like to hear from you. Please contact me or any member of the E Board.
Regards,
Stan Gursky
215-493-4127 or 267-391-9837
Stan@pennsburybands.orgGolf 'n' Jazz
by Dave Willard
On Thursday, May 14, 2009, the Pennsbury Band Boosters are hosting their 3rd Annual Golf 'n' Jazz Outing at the Makefield Highlands Golf Course to support the Pennsbury High School instrumental music programs. Individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to support the event through sponsorships, donations, and as individual golfers and corporate teams. The morning events start with a continental breakfast followed by a shotgun start and best-ball outing format. Putting, driving, hole-in-one, and other contests are planned for the benefit with prizes and awards given at the barbecue luncheon.
That evening at 6:00 pm is the 42nd annual Jazz at Pennsbury at the Pennsbury High School East auditorium. Golfers and non-golfers are all invited to attend.
This is a great opportunity to raise funds toward each band member's benchmark. By signing up golfers and raising support through golf sponsors for tee box signs, flag sponsors, shirt, hat, cart, lunch, and other golf sponsorship opportunities. In addition, ads in the Jazz at Pennsbury program are also great fundraisers. Forms for the golf outing and the ad book can be found on the bands website.
For the first two Golf 'n' Jazz outings combined (2007 + 2008), students raised over $6,000 toward benchmark through golf sponsorships and ad program sales. Don't let this opportunity pass you by.
And of course, if you are a golfer, bring a friend or a foursome and enjoy a wonderful morning of golf while raising much needed funds. Even if you are not a golfer, volunteers are needed to help with the golf outing on the 14th.
For more information or to register contact David Willard.
215-802-4132
August 2008 Newsletter
From the Coordinators Desk
"Always Look Forward"
by Frank Mazzeo
It would be very easy to be Coordinator of an outstanding instrumental music program such as Pennsbury's and have an attitude of "just keep it going and we will be fine"! As I look around our district, and specifically at our program, I am constantly reminded that status quo (fine) is not acceptable. My Father would say "if you are not moving forward you are moving backward"!
I was reminded to move forward when I observed our students during the summer's voluntary Marching Band rehearsals. I observe students who came in as awkward freshmen now stepping up into leadership positions and assuming responsibilities the equivalent of CEO's of small businesses - or students who I would have bet had two left feet now marching up a storm - or students who couldn't even blow their noses as freshmen now assuming the responsibilities of section leaders, soloists and officers (I would never mention Rich Beem's or Ben Lupinacci's name here, it would embarrass them) - it is always tremendously exciting to observe!
Some things that we will be addressing in the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program will be the implementing of technology, increasing enrollment and making the community aware of how special our program is. The Pennsbury Marching Band's announcement begins with "The Pennsbury Marching Band is internationally recognized as one of the premier marching bands in the United States." This announcement very much could be made for our entire program. It is a program that supports a music faculty that is a who's who in music education and in which all of our bands and orchestras, from top to bottom, are award winning ensembles. As Coordinator, I question if the Pennsbury Community is aware of the opportunity that awaits their students right in their own backyard! Do they know that their high school orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall? Do they know that the band director at William Penn has national publications and brings in annually nationally recognized composers and clinicians to his students? Do they know that the Pennsbury School District instrumental music students make up between 20-33% of local and regional music festivals ensembles and have made up to 10% of state festivals! I could go on here for at least the length of this publication!
You will be hearing a lot regarding "Smartmusic". Smartmusic is a program that basically implements technology into instrumental music instruction. As a department we are embracing this program on all levels and hope to have a large portion implemented from elementary to high school by the end of this year.
I would like to recognize the outstanding work that Mr. Michael McGarry did as Coordinator in the Pennsbury School District for the past four years. Mike is one of those who's who that I discussed earlier and I am very appreciative of the job he did as Coordinator and sincerely wish him well in all of his future endeavors. The Pennsbury School District has benefited tremendously from his teaching, musicianship and leadership.
Not to conclude on a down note but the Pennsbury School District, and specifically the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Department, lost a dear friend and avid supporter with the passing of Dr. Patricia Johnston. "We have lost a dedicated professional who personified the spirit of Pennsbury," said district CEO Paul Long. She earned her Ph.D. from University of Pennsylvania and was also a Pennsbury High School graduate. The Pennsbury Music Program is very well supported by the entire Pennsbury Administration but Dr. Johnston had a special place in her heart for our program, and specifically the Long Orange Line. Dr. Johnston presented the Hong Kong tour to the Pennsbury Board of Education. I always could count on Dr. Johnston at the first football game waiting at "the gate" after our first field show with a smile, accolades and sincere well wishes for the program. She will be sincerely missed.
I am very much looking forward to serving this wonderful district in the capacity as coordinator of instrumental music.
Frank Mazzeo
Instrumental Music Coordinator
Welcome To the 2008-2009 Academic Year
And Now It Begins!
by Karen Fox
In June, the summer seems to be a long expanse of warm days, stretching out in front of us, and then we blink and it is the start of Band Camp. For you students who are entering your first year as marching band members, and your parents who are finding it all a little bewildering, we hope that this newsletter/website will be a valuable source of answers to questions you did not know to ask and a continuously available location for up to date information that will prove helpful through out the year.
To continuing marching band members, and to all of our other instrumental families who are a part of Pennsbury's award winning music programs, welcome back. We have a full year planned, building on the successes of the past and adding new initiatives and opportunities for all of our constituencies.
The Pennsbury Instrumental Music Boosters organization's mission is to support the staff and students of the Pennsbury Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, Ninth Grade Band, Concert Jazz Band and Lab Jazz Band. Parents volunteer their time, energy and talent in order to promote these programs and provide enriching experiences for all of our children. Our support is varied and far ranging, from chaperoning to spirit wear, snacks to international trips, funds for "smart rooms" to exciting performance venues. Our organization has a long history and a bright future.
We welcome and encourage newcomers and experienced parents and guardians alike to join us, to offer ideas, get involved and become informed. We most especially encourage everyone to find an activity which suits you, our volunteers make it all possible. If you have done so already, thank you and please consider a step up to a leadership position. If you do not know what there is for you, just come to our first meeting on August 15, 2008 or email me at fox@pennsburybands.org. We have many flexible ways in which you can join in the fun and share in the rewards.
Our meeting dates are linked below and are at 7:00 pm at the Pennsbury High School East cafeteria
I am eager to begin and I look forward to seeing everyone in the days to come.
Karen Fox
President, Pennsbury Instrumental Music Boosters
Mark your calendars for October 11, 2008
When the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Boosters will host the 8th ANNUAL MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL
We need everyone to make it a success.
From the Directors Desk
A Snapshot of the 2008-2009 Year- (you'll need a wide angle lense!)
by Frank Mazzeo
We have some exciting things planned for the high school program this year.
The Long Orange Line is off and running at its usual breakneck speed. The theme for the show is "Starry Nights". We are moving from A class to open status this year in USSBA. Almost all of our USSBA competitions are in large venues. The show is designed by Mr. Robert Gupta, returning staff members are Mr. Capriotti, Mr. Lou Randazzo, Mr. Alan Price, and Miss Lisa Clarke. 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of the Long Orange Line's participation in the WABC/Boscov's Thanksgiving Day Parade as honor band! I am also very pleased that the Long Orange Line is returning and performing at the Pulaski Day Parade in Philadelphia. Due to the Parade Commission last minute changing of the date it caused us to regrettably cancel last year.
The Music Educators National Conference (MENC) is the premier Music Teachers conference in the United States. All of our students are familiar with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 11 festivals. MENC is the parent organization of PMEA. The Pennsbury Symphonic Winds and the Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band were nominated by PMEA to perform at the MENC national convention in March of 2009 in Providence Rhode Island. We will not know of acceptance until November.
PCJB has been invited to perform at the Virginia Beach Music Festival in May of 2009. We are currently in the process of solidifying soloists for next year and they appear to be a Tower of Power experience for our students. PCJB will begin auditions in early September.
The Pennsbury Symphonic Winds and Pennsbury Concert Band will be performing at the Kimmel Center again this year.
It would be criminal for me not to mention the appreciation I have for the Boosters gift contribution to the program this past spring. We are using this gift to implement a "smartmusic lab" at the high school in addition to augmenting the ensembles with some much needed equipment! Please watch for more to come on both these initiatives in upcoming issues. I hope to have the lab setup and running in late September and for viewing at the October Booster meeting.
Please do not forget our Marching Band Officer pinning ceremony scheduled at 6:00pm on August 29th, 2008. Parents of Officer's are to meet at "the gate" and will be escorted onto the field to observe the ceremony as well as take pictures!
In closing I would like to thank my staff, the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Boosters, Mrs. Karen Fox and the students of the Pennsbury Bands- I truly feel blessed to wakeup everyday and be the Director of such a great program!
The 2008-2009 Pennsbury Marching Band "Long Orange Line" Officers are Band Captain, Matt Adler; Band Front Captain, Carrie Oechle; Drum Line Captain, Pam Carmasine; Pit Captain, Tyler Mangiaracina; Band Lieutenant, Carolyn Fox; Band Front Lieutenant, Anna Ballerini; Band Sergeants: Katherine Hangeland, Chad Willard, Zach Greenfield; Band Front Sergeant, Charlotte Joseph; the Corporals are: Adam Greenfield, Zach Gursky, Shauna Sutherson, Sabrina Herbst, Michelle LaRaia and Rob Algazi. The 2008-2009 Pennsbury Marching Band section leaders are: Amy Lynes, Andrea Curran, Dylan Principi, Sara Burgos, Rich Beem, Jake Wilson, Emily Hooven, Laura Metzler, Ben Lupinacci, Kyle Ennis, and Alex Bensch. The Pennsbury Marching Band is under the field Direction of Drum Major Jonah Lustig and Assistant Drum Major Allie LeCavalier.
Mr. Lou Randazzo is the Marching and Maneuvering Coordinator, Mr. Alan Price is the Marching Technician, and the field show was designed by Mr. Robert Gupta. The Associate Director is Mr. Mark Capriotti and the Director of the Pennsbury Marching Band is Mr. Frank Mazzeo.
Band Camp 2008
by Jeff Herbst
Coming off of a season when the Pennsbury Marching Band traveled to Hong Kong to perform an amazing field show before 40,000 rugby fans and 50,000,000 television viewers, other bands might have throttled back the difficulty. Not this band this year.
Matt Adler, this year's captain and a band senior, said this season's show is the hardest one musically of the four he's played in and is "definitely a lot more emotional" than last year's. The music this season, he said, "will get people off their feet."
"The music this year is phenomenal," Sean Bailey agreed.
The theme for this year's performance is Starry Night, complete with star formations and a rich set of star-themed songs. Four members will have solos: Laura Metzler, Ben Lupinacci, Carrie Oechsle, and Rich Beem.
Most bands, said Band Director Frank Mazzeo, use 50 sets. "At Pennsbury we like to overachieve," he said. "This year we have 62."
"Our drill set is amazing," Mr. Mazzeo said. For example, he said, at one point one part of the band slows to half tempo while the other speeds to double tempo.
A set is a member's assigned position on the field. Based on these sets, the band members create formations in what is called a drill.
During two weeks of mostly sunny and dry weather, milder than in recent years, the band has been putting in 8-hour days and, as usual, have progressed an extraordinary amount. The freshmen have quickly learned, and "this year's leaders have really stepped up," Mr. Mazzeo said. Only two of this year's officers were officers last year.
"It's a huge commitment to be here," Matt Adler said. "[The band] has done a great job so far."
The camp, he explained, progresses through three basic stages:
- band members walk through the sets without instruments
- the band walks through the sets holding their instruments, but do not play
- the band starts playing the music as they work through the drill
Dan Adler said the toughest part of camp was bringing together the music and drill sets. "The first time I marched and played" was tough, he said, but it was also when things came together.
Unlike other years, when the parents are invited to see the field show during the final practice, this year's first performance of the show will be at the first Pennsbury football game.
In fact, the band first brought the music and marching together the day before their first performance on August 29.
This year 28 Ninth graders have joined the band. Freshmen might begin camp intimidated, but by the end they've acclimated to Pennsbury Band's style and the expectations made on them.
Dan Adler, whom Mr. Mazzeo described as "one of our outstanding freshmen," said he was a little overwhelmed when he arrived, but one of the payoffs, besides being a much better musician, is being part of a school community before classes begin.
"I've definitely already felt a part of the school ," said Adler, one of three Freshmen drum line members.
A member of the 18-member band front, Melissa Petty is one of 11 band front freshmen, but she's hardly new to the band community. Her sister, Caitlin, and mother, Sandy, were four-year guard members, and her father, Mike, is head chaperone.
"You meet a lot of people before you even start school," she said.
Amy Lynes, who leads the flute section, said even though this is not a trip year, plenty of motivation remains in aiming to do well at both the band festivals and USSBA competitions.
Plus there's the pride of being part of Long Orange Line.
"I'm motivated because I want us to look good," she said.