Schools
Whiz Kids: CM Middle School Band Sets New Record
The symphonic band was invited to perform at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association's annual conference for the seventh time—more than any other middle school.
When the stage light shone down on the Canonsburg Middle School Symphonic Band at Hershey on Friday, it wasn't just illuminating the group of approximately 85 young musicians—it was spotlighting a new record.
The 2011 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association marked the seventh time the Canonsburg Middle School Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the annual conference; more than any other middle school band.
Selected to perform at the high school level was Mt. Lebanon High School Percussion Ensemble, and at the collegiate level was Indiana University of Pennsylvania Wind Ensemble.
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Canonsburg Middle School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Paul Rush, was selected out of 160 bands who applied for the honor this year.
“We are very proud of them. [Rush] runs the program well. One of the reasons the band is so success is the high expectations set for them every year,” said Canonsburg Middle School Assistant Principal Ken Schrag.
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With the bar set high for this young group, the Canonsburg students premiered two new songs at the event, held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. The first was composed by Samuel Hazo, and is titled “Blue and Green.”
The other is a song composed with this particular group of students in mind. Virginia composer Gary Fagan wrote a song for the symphonic band, which the band premiered in Hershey, but will perform it again for parents, classmates and the community at the spring and concert happening May 5 at the middle school.
Before performing at the spring concert, the band will again pack up its instruments when it heads to Tennessee for grand nationals the last week of April.