The Clearview Regional High School wind and vocal ensembles will be collaborating together for a “Day of Remembrance” event.
The free event will be held at the high school’s Toscano Theatre from 10:30 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m. on May 24. It is open to the public and those in attendance are asked to park in the theater lot and, because the event occurs during the school day, the public is strongly discouraged from entering through the main entrance.
Seating is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The Day of Remembrance is a concert that honors veterans who have served our country,” said junior Ben Taylor, who is in the wind ensemble and on the board for the high school’s Tri-M chapter. “It’s our concert with the school’s wind ensemble, there’s some singing with the vocal ensemble, and we’re going to make it more of an event this year.”
Band director and educator Tyler Wiernusz added middle school choir teacher Chelsea Bader will be singing at the event and some students will be reciting poetry.
Wiernusz added the event has been occurring for about six years and was originally run by the middle school’s student council until it was picked up by the Tri-M.
“It’s a unique experience for us because we do a lot of music based on high art, and this is a different type of performing and atmosphere,” said Wiernusz. “As a teacher, I’m excited for them because it’s a different style. Having to play behind a singer and getting to perform music based on the event is such a different style.”
With the event occurring during school hours, Taylor and Wiernusz added students, teachers and the administration are invited to attend. Mantua VFW Post 7679, American Legion Post 452 of Mullica Hill and government leaders were invited to attend by Wiernusz.
During the concert, the two said there will be few songs the audience doesn’t recognize because it will have American classics.
“There will be a short reception following the concert, which will be in the theater lobby,” said Wiernusz. “We have a wall of honor in our lobby that’s getting updated this year.”
The wall features all Clearview Regional graduates who have enlisted in a branch of service and includes their portraits under their respective branches. Portraits are expected to be current as of 2018.
“It’s a unique experience in that I don’t know of any other high school that does this,” said Taylor. “It shows how much we care about our country and those who have served.”
“It’s neat from our end to have the type of collaborations we were able to get,” said Wiernusz. “We’re able to work with vocal ensemble, a featured singer, but we’re also able to make community connections.”
