BMR Kicks off Band Season with Music Fest!

The Blackstone Millville Regional High School Chargers Marching Band will kick off their 2014 competitive season with “Music Fest” on September 27. The competition will feature some of the best marching bands in the region, including: Bishop Feehan High School, Cranston High School East, Dartmouth High School, Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School, King Philip Regional High School, Oliver Ames High School, Shepherd Hill Regional High School, Somerset- Berkley Regional High School and Stoughton High School. Each band will perform for judges from the US Bands Association.

In addition, the evening will feature an exhibition performance from The Windjammers, the official drum and bugle corps of The US Coast Guard Academy. Consisting of Brass, Percussion, Color Guard, and Dance Team, the Windjammers will present their field show entitled “Music of John Williams” that includes “Superman”, “Indiana Jones”, “ET”, and “Star Wars”.

For the second year, Music Fest will be held at Medway High School on September 27, from 5 to 9 pm. “We are grateful for the support of our friends at Medway High School,” said Mr. Todd Shafer, Music Director of the award-winning Blackstone Millville School District. “With no lights on our football field, it would be challenging to host music fest on our home turf. Medway has welcomed the Chargers in the past, and we appreciate their continued support.”

The Chargers’ performance is entitled “An Arabian Tale,” set to the musical piece Scheherazade, by quintessential Russian composer Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The show was designed by Caption Director, Mr. Brian Murphy, an accomplished marching band professional with over 40 years of award-winning experience in the marching arts. Musical arrangement was provided by Mr. Buddy Bibeault, recently retired Fine Arts Director of the Blackstone Millville Music program, and musical direction is provided by Mr. Todd Shafer.

Music Fest is organized by The Blackstone Millville Music Association, a parent-run, non-profit organization that provides volunteers, staffing, transportation, chaperones, uniforms and more. “The BMR marching band is a point of pride for our community, and we are lucky to have the support of local residents and businesses to help us fund the program” says BMMA President John Stefanik. This year, BMMA is pleased to welcome new Sponsors, including presenting sponsor, National Grid, and Purple Sponsor, Music & Arts of Milford.

As presenting sponsor, National Grid will have representatives in attendance to sell energy-saving light bulbs and advanced power strips. These devices can help people save money and reduce their environmental footprint, and the company will also donate all proceeds to a participating music program of the purchaser’s choice. “One of our most important goals at National Grid is to inspire the next generation of energy industry professionals,” said Marcy Reed, president of National Grid in Massachusetts. “In addition to science, technology, engineering and math education, we value music as a critical learning tool that keeps students engaged in school, helps develop well-rounded individuals and encourages skills that are vital for success.”

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) Championship, placed first in the New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Division 5 Championship and won first place in the Bands of America Regional Class A Championship in Towson, Maryland.

Admission to Music Fest is $10 for adults, $5 for children, students and seniors. For more information, visit BMMAmusic.org.