Pinecrest Academy Wind Symphony to Play for Pope Francis

This is a banner year for Pinecrest Academy, a PreK-12 Catholic school in Cumming, GA. Not only is the school celebrating its 20th Anniversary, but its high school Wind Symphony has been afforded the opportunity to perform in a General Audience in Rome, Italy, with His Holiness, Pope Francis, in April 2014.

“Playing for the Pope is a distinguished honor, not only for these fine student musicians and for Pinecrest Academy, but also for the broader Catholic and civic communities,” commented Fr. Robert Presutti, LC, Pinecrest Academy Head of School. 

The Pinecrest Wind Symphony’s planned pilgrimage to the Eternal City will include a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the other Patriarchal Basilicas, visits to Assisi and Orvieto, and stops to other places of spiritual and cultural relevance. The band will play for Pope Francis, and will also perform in local performing arts venues in Rome.

Band Director Len Insalaca describes this experience as a dream come true. “Someone once remarked to me, ‘what can possibly top playing at Carnegie Hall or the Kennedy Center? And I thought to myself, ‘playing for the Holy Father in Rome!’”

Likewise, band members are grateful for the privilege. "Band has played an instrumental role (pun intended!) in my development as a person and has given me memories that will last a lifetime,” said French horn player, Jack Meersman, a senior. “It’s hard to believe that we have the opportunity to perform in one of the most historical cites in the world and share the gift of music there."

"When I found we were going to Rome and playing for the Pope, I was blown away,” said principal trombonist, J.T. Lynch, a sophomore.  “All my life, the Pope has been one of the most profound and influential leaders in the world, and my band has the honor of playing for him after only four short years. It's incredible!”

To make this experience a reality for Pinecrest’s band students, they are seeking the community’s support, both prayerfully and financially. “This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is a treasure I pray that our band students can experience, and that’s why we are humbly reaching out to our community to help us realize this goal,” commented Insalaca.  “While our students and their parents are working hard to raise money for this pilgrimage, we would be so grateful for assistance that will offset expenses. No donation is too small, and every single penny is appreciated,” he continued.

“The benefits of this opportunity for our students are almost innumerable. Not only will they be inspired to challenge their musical aptitude and bring their best to the Holy Father, but they’ll be exposed to one of the most sacred locations in the world, experience and appreciate an entirely new culture, and enhance their own personal faith journeys,” said Insalaca.

Those who would like to help Pinecrest’s Wind Symphony Band make it to Rome to play for the Pope, are invited to make a donation of any amount at www.playforthepope.org.

About the Pinecrest Academy Wind Symphony
The Pinecrest Academy Band Program was founded in August 2009.  It began as a beginner group of students from 6th-11th grades. Four years later, the band program has developed into six separate concert bands, ranging from beginning to advanced. The Wind Symphony is the High School group, consisting of the most advanced musicians. 

Although the Pinecrest band program is very young, it has already enjoyed much success on the national stage.  In 2011, at the group’s first competition, the band won First Place in the New York Heritage Music Festival, earning straight superior ratings. By winning the Gold Award, the band received an invitation to perform at the National Band and Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Good Friday, April 6, 2012. The band witnessed to its Catholic heritage by including performances of Were You There? and Ave Maria as two of four pieces. 

The Pinecrest Academy Wind Symphony has received invitations to perform in other famous concert halls such as Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Davies Hall in San Francisco, The Kennedy Center and The Strathmore in the Washington D.C. metro area, and Music Festivals in Los Angeles, London, and Prague.

Pinecrest Academy has been recognized for seven consecutive years as one of the Top 50 Catholic High Schools in the United States and strives to develop Christian leaders who will transform society.