MUSIC FESTIVAL

back from excited and eager to keep learning and keep growing with each other.

The band ensemble was directed by Donald Huff, the band director of Spring Valley Academy in Centerville, Ohio. He loves teaching students and has a passion for music, which has inspired many during Music Fest. Bailey Darrell, a junior at Highland Academy, has attended Music Fest and has been a part of the band ensemble for multiple years, and says, “Music Fest has shown me the importance of working as a team to make all of the different parts come together, and continues to be one of my favorite events that encourages forming new relationships with the people around you.” It is especially difficult to bring together people who do not know each other to play in a band, since everyone is at a different level with their instrument. The ages range from 5th-12th grade, and it takes patience and hard work to prepare these pieces of music while working together. That hard work, however, is what ultimately brings people closer together and shows what can be accomplished with dedication and passion.

The junior choir was directed by Mark Beeker, who is enjoying his third year of retirement after serving the SDA church for over 40 years by teaching music to young people around the U.S. The junior choir is a challenging task, but one of the most important. For many young students, this is their first impression of what it means to be a musician, and what it means to work together with similar-minded people. The high school choir was directed by Dr. William Chunestudy, who currently conducts the William Chunestudy

Men’s Chorus which he organized in 2005. The students in choir put in many hours of practice, most of which were spent standing. However, the outcome seems to be worth the effort, for more reasons than just to put on a great performance. Samuel Robles, a senior at Highland Academy, says, “Getting to be a part of the choir and band was a great experience. I was able to interact with many schools, and experienced the feeling of being able to worship together. It is an experience that I would not trade for anything else.” Although Music Fest is a tiring weekend, everyone leaves knowing that they have gained an experience that they will look back on with gratitude.

The string ensemble was directed by Kelly Widemann, who serves as Associate Music director and English teacher at Shenandoah Valley Academy in New Market, Virginia. The string ensemble has always been a powerful force, though it is the least popular. Daniel Gonzalez, a senior at Highland Academy and a participant in the string ensemble, says, “Although strings may be the group with the fewest number of students, from the beginning I felt that we were able to achieve great things. Our clinician had a great charisma and an excellent way of teaching, which made working with her even more special.” The students who are a part of the string ensemble are always passionate and never fail to impress, which shows the enthusiasm of both the participants and the clinician.

The handbell choir was directed by Shelly Miller, who has been a clinician for Music Fest for four years now. She graduated from Southern Adventist University with a degree in Mathematics, but her passion for music has always been known. She taught handbells and chimes for seven years at Highland Academy, one year at Madison Academy, and one year at Ridgetop Elementary. She clearly enjoys Music Fest, saying, “It is like a HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout, lots of intensity over a short amount of time, but the results are amazing. So many young people come together to speak the heavenly language of music.” Music Fest is a way for people to come together to share a passion, and can use that to bless others. Each of the different groups worked together, learned new pieces, and improved their skills. The work that the students and the clinicians put into Music Festival every year is admirable. Every group dedicated many hours of practice to prepare a beautiful performance, and helped each other to create a memorable experience.

Haroldo Alvarez, the music director at Highland Academy, says, “Music Fest provides an opportunity for small programs to join forces to perform works that are only possible with the right amount of individuals.” Because of Music Fest, students can learn what it is like to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves. It is an event where we can truly impact those around us and share God’s love through music with each other.