Blackstone Millville Music Association Kicks off Year with a Bang!

As the judges approached the table, anticipation was in the air... as was the delicious aroma of local, handmade pizza. it was Blackstone Millville Music Association’s (BMMA) Family Fun Night, an annual community event help at the Blackstone Millville Regional (BMR) High School to raise funds for the school’s award winning marching band,

This year’s festivities included BMMA’s First Annual Pizza Challenge, featuring pies donated by Bellingham Palace, MillTavern in Millville, and Ideal and TKO Pizza, both of Blackstone. Each participating restaurant donated one dozen pizzas to cater the event, and one slice of each was served by event Co-Chair Tom Houle to a panel of judges which included Music Director Todd Shafer, Color Guard Captain Emily Turcotte and Drum Majors Cassidy Smith, Justyne Tellstone and Maddie Rafus. After sampling and some deliberation, the winner was announced. “The winner of the First Annual BMMA Pizza Challenge is Bellingham Palace,” declared Mr. Shafer, “Followed by Mill Tavern as a very close second”.

Family Fun Night featured games, activities, food and entertainment, including a sneak peek at the Chargers’ 2014 field show, “An Arabian Tale”. It was the first fundraiser of the season held by BMMA, a parent-run, non-profit organization that provides funding for the marching band, as well as volunteers, transportation, chaperones, uniforms and more.

“BMMA is grateful for the tremendous support of the local businesses who stepped up to support this event,” says President John Stefanik. In addition to the Pizza Challenge participants, the Blackstone Lions donated hot dogs and Wright’s Dairy Farm donated cupcakes to feed guests. In addition, shaved ice vendor “The Big Freezy” sold their product and donated 20% of the day’s sales to BMMA. Entertainers also donated their service, including Studio 25 Dance and Dragon Gymnastics of Blackstone, dancer and Zumba instructor Maureen Canesi, comedian Jeannie Kerwin, entertainer Mac-A-Doo the Clown, and “Spectacular Spinner” DJ Rodney Giguere.

Topping the list of donors was event sponsor, Rick’s Musical Instruments, of Cumberland, RI. “When Rick Verfaille learned about Family Fun Night, he immediately stepped up to sponsor it with a cash donation that enabled us to run this terrific community event at no cost to BMMA. 100% of the day’s profits went directly toward our music programs.” Over the course of this academic year, BMMA must raise $60,000 to help fund the school’s competitive music programs.

This weekend marks the kick off of the BMR Chargers Marching Band’s 2014 season, with their Music Fest competition. Music Fest will be held at Medway High School on Saturday, September 27 from 5-9 pm, and will feature some of the best high school marching bands in the region. In addition, the US Coast Guard Academy’s official drum and bugle corps, the WIndjammers, will present a special performance.

The BMR Chargers Marching Band has a long history of achievement. At the conclusion of last year’s season, the Chargers had won their 27th consecutive Gold Medal at the Massachusetts Instrumental Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) State Championship, placed first in the New England Scholastic Band Division 5 Championship and won first place in the Bands of America Regional Class A Championship in Towson, Maryland. For more information about the BMR Chargers Marching Band or about Blackstone Millville Music Association, please visit BMMAmusic.org.

PHOTO: Justyne Tellstone, Cassidy Smith, Maddie Rafus (Drum Majors) and Emily Turcotte (Color Guard Captain) of Blackstone Millville Regional High School Chargers’ Marching Band.