Leesville Road MS Band: 2017 North Carolina Music Educators Association Performance Program Book

LEESVILLE ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

LEESVILLE ROAD

MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND CARA C. VERNON | CONDUCTOR ALYSSA MONTGOMERY | GUEST CONDUCTOR

NORTH CAROLINA

MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

BENTON CONVENTION CENTER 301 W. FIFTH ST.

| WINSTON-SALEM, NC

9:00 AM | NOVEMBER 14, 2017

CONGRATULATORY LETTERS

____

Leesville Road Middle School Cynthia Kremer, Principal 8406 LEESVILLE ROAD RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27613 PHONE: FAX:

919 870-4141 919 870-4166

To The North Carolina Music Educators Association, The students, faculty, staff and administration of Leesville Road Middle School are extremely proud and excited to be invited to see our band to perform at the 2017 North Carolina Music Educators Association Band Conference! The enthusiasm and dedication of our musicians never ceases to amaze me. These young people are remarkable ambassadors for Leesville Road Middle School and Wake County Schools.

Under the dedicated leadership and direction of Mrs. Cara Vernon, the Leesville Road Middle Band program has grown to over 200 students. In addition to outstanding musicianship, our band students excel in their display of both integrity and pride. I am proud of the hard work and dedication of each and every member of our exceptional band program and would like to acknowledge their contribution to our school, district and community.

The support of our parents and community also deserves mention. Our Band Booster spends countless hours and makes tremendous sacrifices to ensure our band has every opportunity to be successful. Without the consistent support of the parents and the community, none of our band’s accomplishment would be possible.

The opportunity to perform at the North Carolina Music Educator’s Conference is not only an honor, but the culmination of the hard work and dedication of the entire band program at Leesville Road Middle. Thank you for recognizing our students and giving them the opportunity to share the beautiful music.

Sincerely, Cynthia A. Kremer Principal

WEBSITE: WWW.WCPSS.NET

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

L

eesville Road Middle School, located in North Raleigh, is part of the Wake County Public School System. The school opened in 1991 as a sixth, seventh, and eighth grade middle school and is part of the greater Leesville campus, which includes an elementary and high school.

The band program at Leesville Road Middle School serves approximately 200 students, which consists of the 6th Grade Beginning Band, the 7th Grade Concert Band, and the 8th Grade Symphonic Band. All classes meet for 45-minute class periods each day.

To improve their individual skills and musicianship, students attend weekly sectional rehearsals, and many take advantage of the opportunity for private lessons.

The Leesville Road Middle School Band has been well-represented at All-County and All-District Band events, and the 7th and 8th

Grade Bands attend the Central District Music Performance Assessment each year.

In addition to their involvement in band activities, the Leesville students participate in Athletics, Art, Cheerleading, Yearbook, and other student leadership groups throughout the school.

The program relies on the dedicated work of many parents, volunteers and students in the Leesville Community. Together we have built a culture of excellence that has flourished within the school.

CONDUCTORS Seattle, Washington, the 2010 Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio, Texas, and the 2010 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL.

C

ara Vernon is in her fourteenth year of teaching and has been the band director at Leesville Road Middle School since 2015.

Mrs. Vernon received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from East Carolina University in 2002. During her time at ECU, she was a recipient of the Friends of the School of Music Scholarship, an active officer in Sigma Alpha Iota, served as Drum Major for the Marching Pirates, and performed in the Wind Ensemble under Dr. Scott Carter.

After graduating from East Carolina, she attended graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s Degree in Clarinet Performance in 2005. While studying at UT, she performed with the Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Winds, and the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Jerry Junkin.

Mrs. Vernon began her career as the associate band director at Henry Middle School in Leander ISD in Cedar Park, Texas. During her tenure, the program received invitations to perform at the 2008 Western International Band Clinic in

Mrs. Vernon has had the opportunity to teach in different areas of the country, which has given her unique insight into programmatic and pedagogical styles. After leaving Texas, she spent 4 years as the director at the Potomac School in McLean Virginia, and taught beginning band in several elementary schools in the Fairfax County Public School System.

Bands under her direction have received superior ratings and awards at the state and national level. Some of these honors include consecutive UIL Sweepstakes Awards, Best in Class at Texas Showcase of Bands Festivals, and superior ratings at concert and sight-reading festivals in Texas, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Mrs. Vernon’s professional memberships include the National Association for Music Educators, the North Carolina Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmaster’s Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota.

She is currently serving as the All-County Clinic Chair for Wake County and is the Middle School Member-at-Large for the Central District Bandmasters Association.

Mrs. Vernon considers herself privileged to have had many inspirational mentors, colleagues and musical experiences. She credits her success to the dedication of her students, the support from the Leesville Community, and the love from her husband, Jamie, her daughters, Mia and Addison, and her pugs, Maddie and Cooper.

A

lyssa Marie Montgomery grew up in the Raleigh area and is an alumnus of the Leesville Band Program. While a student of David Saleeba Albert at Leesville Road High School, she played Oboe and English Horn in the Symphonic Band. She also was the second drum major in Leesville High School Band history to serve as a two year Drum Major.

Ms. Montgomery graduated Summa Cum Laude from Appalachian State University with two bachelor’s degrees, one in Music Education and the other in Piano Performance. While at Appalachian State, Ms. Montgomery was recognized as a Chancellor’s Scholar (Full-Ride Scholarship), Academic Scholar, Harbinson Family Music Scholar, a member of Pi Kappa Lambda (The Music Honors Society), and an Honors Student. Ms. Montgomery performed in the Appalachian Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, ASU Marching Mountaineers and other chamber ensembles. She also led the Marching Mountaineers as a Drum Major for two years.

Prior to her appointment at Leesville High School, Ms. Montgomery was the Director of Bands at Wendell Middle School, where she was nominated for the Diane Kent Parker 1st Year Teacher of the Year.

In May 2013, Ms. Montgomery was named the Conductor for the Leesville High School Band Program. She feels it is truly an honor to conduct the Leesville Band Program where she once sat as a student.

As its Conductor and Director of Bands, Ms. Montgomery has led the bands to consistent Superior ratings at North Carolina’s Music Performance Adjudication.

The bands have performed nationwide

including San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Orlando along with invitations for the band to perform with area college wind ensembles and professional groups. The Leesville High School Bands have been featured in the News and Observer, 919 Magazine, and on UNCTV. In 2017, she was named an “Ed Rooker” Encore Award winner by the NC Chapter of the ASBDA, which is given to top band directors in the field with under 7 years of experience. Under her direction, the Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the NCMEA Conference in 2017 and for the President’s Cup National High School Band Invitational in 2018.

She is a frequent adjudicator, guest speaker, and guest clinician. Ms. Montgomery is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the North Carolina Music Educators Association — where she serves on the board as the Advocacy Chair — and the North Carolina Bandmasters Association.

FLUTE ILLIANA BAILEY MARISA COCHRANE KATIE DAVIS MARIUS DIAZ SOFIA DIAZ CAMILA GUTIERREZ JANE HILTS AMANI KEARNEY ELONIE LATHON GRACE PIKE EMMA POLANSKY

MEGAN TRIPOLI AVERY WEBB ALIX WILSON OBOE ISABEL NORDQUIST ERIKA VILLALON BASSOON OWEN MARCELLINO VALERIE ROME

CLARINET RACHEL ALVIS PAIGE BOMBIEN ANNA BOODEE JOSHUA CASH CAMDEN KELLS AIDAN PLAICE KATE ROSS JAKE TIMIN

BASS CLARINET SARAH CASH DIETLOFF JORDAAN AIDAN SCOTT ALTO SAXOPHONE BROOKS BOOTH LANEY CHOBOY GARRETT DAIL JADYN GABRIEL MILES PURVIS

BARITONE SAXOPHONE CARTER GRUELA TRUMPET ALEX ALLEN ERIC FLEMING DIXIE McCOY BRYCE NORVELL XANDER SATRAPA CALEB THOMAS IAN WESTBROOK

FRENCH HORN AVERY BOX MASON HICKEY ETHAN MASH RYAN MASH DREW THOMAS BAILEY WAGNER TROMBONE KEVIN BOLIN MAVEN BROWN ROSHAUN CROSSLEY

AMELIA GARRELTS JACE HOLCOMB ERICA NOGA LOGAN SKINNER THOMAS SULLIVAN EUPHONIUM ELISE BATZ CHRISTOPHER MARKS

LEESVILLE ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND TUBA MAXWELL MEADOWS NATHANIEL OBENG SHAYLA SWEENEY

PERCUSSION JORDAN BRYANT LEON CROSBY JASON FOGELSONGER GRAHAM KRISTOFF COLIN PHILLIPS

HARRISON SKINNER HANNAH WEISS WADE WILSON KYNDALL WINECOFF JAMARI WRIGHT

PROGRAM TRITON FANFARE

by

ROBERT W. SMITH

Triton, a mythological Greek god, is the messenger of the deep. He is the son of the god and goddess of the seas. Like his father, he carried a trident, a unique fork with three spears. However, Triton’s special attribute was a sea shell that he blew like a trumpet to calm or raise the waves. Triton Fanfare, was inspired by the power of Triton’s instrument and the recurring use of the numeral three. From the ¾ time signature to the use of the tritone, a musical interval consisting of three whole steps, the fanfare creates a powerful musical statement for concert band.

DARKLANDS LEGENDS

by

RANDALL D. STANDRIDGE

I. “Dance of the Mad Prince” (The Darklands, Part II) II. “The Serpent Priest and the Black Bell” (The Darklands, Part III) III. “The Queen’s Masque” (The Darklands, Part IV) In three movements, this suite for band captures the imagination of students and transports them to a fantasyland of musical expression. It is designed to be played as a stand-alone suite, or as a complete symphony with “Darklands March” (The Darklands, Part I) and “DarkHeart” (The Darklands, Part V). This entire symphony stands alone as a major work for concert band.

HOPAK

by

WILLIAM OWENS

The origins of the Hopak dance date back to the 16th century in the territory now known as the Ukraine. Originally a male-dominated domain, it would later be adopted by solo dancers, couples and mixed dance groups. Largely improvised and physically demanding, this popular dance is known for high leaps, squatting kicks, and swift turns. The Ukrainian word, “hopak” literally means “hop” or “to jump.”

RIPPLING WATERCOLORS

by

BRIAN BALMAGES

Rippling Watercolors was specifically written to honor the family name of the composer, and it is dedicated to his two nieces, Lily and Charlotte, who will form the next generation of Balmages in the United States. His family encourages children to be creative and spontaneous. The idea of this piece came from a simple set of watercolors. When children get a hold of these and use their imagination, the most amazing things happen. Children can see things that adults never see. They open up their imaginations the watercolors can become a magnificent sunrise, a sunset over the ocean, a gorgeous view from a mountaintop, or an image of a supernova in space. Every drop creates a new, fantastic world.

CIRCLE THE WAGONS

Traditional, arr. by

JACK WILDS

After a long day on the trail, the American pioneers would circle the wagons around the campfire for the evening. This work uses two folk tunes, “Holy Manna” and “Foundation,” to portray the dancing that may have taken place around the fire. A smooth, peaceful introduction quickly gives way to a raucous dance. The dance builds and finally combines with the original theme for a joyous close.

MS. ALYSSA MONTGOMERY GUEST CONDUCTOR

SWAHILI FOLK HYMN

by

KEVIN MIXON (B. 1964)

Swahili Folk Hymn was written to embody the music and culture of the one-half million Swahili people who inhabit the eastern coastal regions of Africa. The original lyrics of the song used in this arrangement are sacred: “Bwana Awabiriki, Ukimcha Bwana,” which means, “May God grant you a blessing, Revere the Lord.” However, the song’s popularity has become widespread and is often set to secular lyrics.

THE 2016-2017 SYMPHONIC BAND FLUTE NAWAL ABDULHALIM TAYLOR ALDRIDGE BRAD VEZZETTI LANEY WADE OBOE EMILY KRAUS MEGAN VEZZETTI CLARINET KATHRYN BACHAND MARIA CORTES-CODOBA HESHAM ELHAMAKY KEVIN LAVERY KATIE RHOADES KATE SCICLUNA RHIANNON WILLIAMS BASS CLARINET MARY PRICE

ALTO SAXOPHONE COREY IBRAHIM KEVIN KUROSAWA MICHAEL ST. LOUIS TENOR SAXOPHONE EMMA CAMPBELL KAITLYN SAVARY BARITONE SAXOPHONE ERIC TARDY FRENCH HORN CHARLOTTE DAVIS REAGAN WEAVER TRUMPET JACK BAUR ZOE BENNETT CORBIN BURNS STONE NICHOLAS GABRIELLA RAMIREZ JULIUS RICE

TROMBONE ERIC LAVERY KENNETH SCHECHTER SANDIERY TALL CHARLES TINLING EUPHONIUM TOMMY D’BELLA ZION HURST TUBA ETHAN CLAWSON ETHAN BURCHFIELD PRESTON HADLEY PERCUSSION MITCHELL ANDERSON JACOB FORD JACKSON HUTCHISON MADELYN PHILLIPS JAMES TIDWELL

SPECIAL THANKS...

TO THE 2016-2017 8TH GRADE SYMPHONIC BAND for setting the standard for the LRMS Band program.

TO JAMIE, MIA AND ADDISON for your patience, love and encouragement every day.

TO THE 2017-2018 SYMPHONIC BAND for your patience, hard work and dedication; you have been an exceptional group of students since you were beginners. Sharing the stage with you makes me extremely proud to be your teacher.

TO MY FAMILY for believing in me and supporting me from the beginning.

TO THE LRMS BAND PARENTS for your endless support of our kids, our band program and music education.

TO THE BAND BOOSTER BOARD MEMBERS, PAST AND PRESENT for doing more than was ever expected to help build this band program.

TO OUR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP CONTRIBUTORS for making this trip possible for all of our students.

TO THE LRMS STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION for your continued support of our students and the fine arts at LRMS. TO DAVE ALBERT, ERIN MUNNELLY, JESSE RACKLEY AND MATT JENKINS for your time and dedication teaching sectionals, and for encouraging our kids!

TO RYAN STRATEN, ROBERT HERRINGS AND CHERYL NEWTON for your inspiration, encouragement and friendship.

TO CRYSTAL BOONE, TOVAH COATS AND GREG CASH for your generosity and the amazing pictures for our program.

TO ROBIN WILSON for creating such a beautiful program.

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