Spring-Ford Music Rings Out in Boston

The following post was submitted by George Growcott of the Spring-Ford Area School District's Band Program. Growcott said the contribution came from Yvonne O'Dea and other members who went on the trip:

The directors of the Music Department, student members of the chorus, orchestra and bands representing the Spring-Ford Area School District this past weekend went on the road to Boston, Mass. to show off their talents and to be judged by professionals of the music world.

This event is run by the “Festivals of Music” which runs music festivals across the United States has past and present music educators and performers who listen each group. They then give groups a rating based on their standards and then spend time with the members of each group talking about their performance and things they can do to improve.

Each and every one of the Spring-Ford ensembles performed at a very high level and received the following ratings:

• Vocal Ensemble - 1^st place, Superior rating and Overall Best Mixed Choir
• Women’s Choir - 1^st Place Excellent rating and Overall Best Women’s Choir
• Orchestra - 1^st place Excellent Rating and Overall Best Orchestra
• Freshman Band - 1^st place Excellent Rating
• Jazz Band - 1^st place Superior Rating and Overall Best Jazz Band
• Wind Ensemble - 1^st place Superior rating and Overall Best Concert Band

Of special note: Spring-Ford received the festival’s “Esprit De Corps” Award which is presented based on the groups, positive behavior, attitude, respect of others and overall positive demeanor at the festival.

The directors of these groups at Spring-Ford HS are: Yvonne O’Dea (heads the choral activities), Emily McGranahan (director of the orchestra) and John  Eckstine (director of bands). They were proud of the great job that each and every student as they represented Spring-Ford.

The students and directors also while in Boston attended a concert performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra before returning to Spring-Ford on Sunday and heading back to classes on Monday morning.

The public is invited to attend upcoming concerts by all of these talented groups at the high school starting on May 12 at 7 p.m. when the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will be performing the annual spring concert. Then on May 18 at 7:30 p.m., the vocal ensembles will be presenting a spring concert.