The Washington Township school district’s band department brought together all district band students for a one-day festival and concert in the Republic Bank Performing Arts Center on Feb. 29.
The inaugural festival was organized by school Director of Bands Calvin Spencer, utilizing a grant to fund the event through the Washington Township Education Foundation (WTEF). That sponsorship paid for guest clinician Dr. Lauren Reynolds – director of bands at the University of Delaware – to work with Washington Township band students in grades five through 12.
The event culminated in an evening concert for the community that featured the progression of the band program from fifth grade through high school. The concert finale featured a combined ensemble of all of the district’s nearly 400 band students performing on stage at the same time.
“Overall, the goal of the day was to launch a renaissance for the district band program by connecting the program and its families throughout all of our district’s schools,” Spencer said. “Providing students with an additional performance opportunity by working with a college-level director further showed our community the possibilities of musical excellence that students can achieve, as well as the long-lasting benefits that playing a musical instrument can have on our students.”
“It is always impressive to see that many students come together for a common performance through their interest and passion for music,” noted District Supervisor for Visual and Performing Arts Casey Corigliano.
“We hope that this festival was the catalyst to build and unify the band program for years to come.”
