Phoenixville Middle School Band Students Score Big

Congratulations to the Middle
School Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band for their award winning performances at the
New England Music in the Parks Festival. Both bands won first place and
superior ratings. Both groups won awards for being the highest scoring middle
school or high school band. A medal was presented to trumpet player, Sean
Malloy in front of a crowd of cheering fans as he was honored as the
outstanding jazz soloist of the festival. The students triggered an emotional
response from the judges who loved the students’ energy, expression, attention
to detail, and wonderful sound. There were was lots of smiles on stage even
after an exhausting day. This is the 13^th straight year of first
place finishes and superior ratings for the Wind Ensemble. The band also won
the Esprit de Corps Award for best demonstrating the ideals of the festival.

The group took a quiet moment at the New England Holocaust Memorial. There, six tall glass pillars with steam
vents symbolize the six concentration camps in Europe. A plaque with Pastor Niemöller’s famous quote stands at the memorial as a reminder of the need to speak out against evil even when those around us may be silent.

First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.Then they came for the socialists,                                        and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.      Then they came for the trade unionists,                        and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for me,                                               and there was no one left to speak for me.

Students were led on a tour of historic Boston by guides in period costume. After the tour, the band explored
Old North Church made famous by Paul Revere’s midnight ride. They also saw the Paul Revere House, the oldest private home in Boston. They enjoyed  Faneuil
Hall and the Quincy Market area. At dinner, the band had a surprise visit from one of Mr. Bonnell’s former students who is currently studying physics at
Harvard. Students got a bird’s eye view of Boston just as the sun was setting from the Skywalk at the top of the Prudential Tower.

Phoenixville students really stood out during the visit with their energy and genuine enthusiasm for learning. The
band members were proud ambassadors of the district and the community.
Congratulations students and abundant thanks to the chaperone volunteers who made the trip possible.