The busy concert season continued December 12th as the Adrian High School choirs shared their music at the Performing Arts Center. The evening also included a few snow flurries as you'll see in the video above. The choirs were lead by Steve Antalek and student teacher Garrett Glass. Laura Morris provided piano accompaniment. Enjoy the slideshow below as well. 

The Springbrook Choirs kicked off the 2019 holiday concert season December 10th in the Adrian High School Performing Arts Center. The groups were under the direction of Barbara Schenck and student director Jordan Golomb. Laurie Cunningham served as piano accompanist. Check out the video above and slideshow below. 

On Monday, November 25th, coverage of the Music Boosters' 2019 Pie Day made the front page of Adrian's hometown newspaper, The Daily Telegram. Reporter Brad Heineman and photographer Mike Dickie visited the AHS cafeteria the day we made 1,100 apple pies, then told the story of the annual event through pictures and interviews. They posted an online version of their article, too. See it here. 

Our Pie Day tradition continued November 23rd, 2019 as more than 150 student, parent and teacher volunteers came together to make 1,100 apple pies. (Watch some of the action in the video above.)

After preparing ingredients and loading thousands of apples into the AHS cafeteria the day before, many members of our music community worked for up to nine hours Saturday to pull off this annual feat.

Thank you for your support of our Apple Pie Sale and Adrian Music. We appreciate it so very much. 

The Adrian Maples got to be Wolverines for a day when they visited Revelli Hall on the University of Michigan campus, November 19th. The band worked with a post-graduate student director. Then, Mr. Mykeloff rehearsed the group for the benefit of U of M music education undergrads. The band also toured Revelli Hall, which is the rehearsal home of the Michigan Marching Band. 

On November 6th, the Adrian Maples Marching Band toured the city's elementary schools and Springbrook Middle School to perform their 2019 halftime show, featuring music from the movie "The Incredibles." This wonderful annual tradition brings together current members of the Maple Marching Band with the future members. Enjoy the highlights in the video above. 

"Michener students and staff love the marching band visit," wrote Principal Ann Lacasse. "These [band] kids are tremendously talented and a great representation of Adrian Public Schools."

Sam Skeels, Principal of Lincoln Elementary, agrees. "It was great. Lunchtime followed the performance, and it was the talk of the room." 

Prairie Principal Carl Lewandowski would like to see the band play at the elementary schools more often. "We need to make it a routine. Heck, even multiple times a year," he wrote. ​

Guest conductor Damien Crutcher and about 80 of the area's best young musicians came together Sunday, November 3rd at Dawson Auditorium on the Adrian College campus to present a five-song concert as the Lenawee County Honors Band. Enjoy a few of the highlights above. 

Mr. Crutcher earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University, as well as a Master’s in Conducting from The University of Michigan. He served as Director of Bands and Orchestra at Southfield-Lathrup High School for many years and is the co-founder and CEO of Crescendo Detroit, a nonprofit that works to transform the lives of children ages 5 to 18 by engaging them in intense instrumental and/or vocal music and dance programs that promote artistic excellence and character building.

Each year, the Lenawee County Honors Band brings together the best young musicians from schools all over the area. The 2019 group included 13 students from Adrian High School. Watch as the band rehearses Saturday, November 2nd. 

Springbrook Band Director Sheri Powers led her 7th and 8th grade groups through a lively program during their 2019 Fall concert, October 29th in the Adrian High School Performing Arts Center. Enjoy a few of the evening's musical moments in the video above. 

Learn about the 2019 Apple Pie Sale as WLEN morning show host Steve Barkway interviews Adrian Music Boosters President Scott Greggory. Find more details on the Pie Sale here. Through November 9th, you can purchase pies from any Adrian music student or at our secure, dedicated Pie Sale website: www.AdrianMusicBoostersPieSale.com.

To celebrate the Halloween season, the Adrian High School Choirs presented a selection of spooky numbers, October 24th in the AHS Performing Arts Center. Groups in the video above include Bel Canto, Nothing But Treble, Lady Blues, The Tones, Concert Choir and Mass Choir. The evening featured special guest Ja'vaughn White dancing to "Thriller." 

There's a lot to learn when you're starting out on a new instrument. APS Director of Orchestras Lorri Wittenkeller gave parents an idea of what their young string players are working on in class during the 2019 6th Grade Orchestra Informance held at the Adrian High School Performing Arts Center. Watch a few highlights in the video above. 

Each year, the Lenawee County Band Directors Association brings together the area's best high school musicians for Honors Band, a weekend of rehearsal and performance. 

All eleven public high schools in the county, as well as Lenawee Christian School, can nominate students to participate. A committee considers the qualifications of each nominee, then selects members for the group.

This year, thirteen Adrian High School musicians have been invited to play in Honors Band. Ten are shown above.

Top row, left to right:
Ethan French - Trombone / Senior
Ava Hanley - Tuba / Senior
Rachel Bauer - Bassoon / Senior
Leah Sage - Flute / Senior
Ella Slupe - French Horn / Junior
Tyler Hinton - French Horn / Junior

Bottom row, left to right; 
Daisy Leal - Percussion / Senior
Matthew Antalek - Trumpet / Sophomore
Haley Smith - French Horn / Senior
Max Rhames - Trumpet / Junior

Not pictured:
Emily Armentrout - Percussion / Senior
Austen Howard - Baritone Sax / Senior
TJ Maddox - Percussion / Senior

Rehearsal will be Saturday, November 2nd from 8:30am to 5pm. The concert will take place Sunday, November 3rd at 3pm. Both will be held at Dawson Auditorium on the Adrian College campus. 

The band will be under the direction of Damien Crutcher from Wayne State University. In addition to serving as the Director of Bands and Orchestra at Southfield-Lathrup High School, Mr. Crutcher is the co-founder and CEO of Crescendo Detroit, a nonprofit organization working to transform the lives of Detroit's school-age children by engaging them in intense instrumental music, vocal music and dance programs that promote artistic excellence and character building.

There will be a $2 admission fee for the concert. Student musicians will each receive two free tickets to share. 

Congratulations to all the members of the 2019 Honors Band. 

You expect to see trumpets, tubas and drums at a high school football game. Violins, violas and cellos, not so much. 

But, since 2017, the Adrian High School Orchestra has performed at an AHS varsity football game each season. 

“Lots of people don't think of orchestras and strings as relevant in today's world,” said Lorri Wittenkeller, Director of Orchestras for Adrian Public Schools. “We want to show that strings are still here and playing a great diversity of music, and they're doing it in more non-traditional places than ever.”

Playing in unconventional settings also provides a unique benefit for our students. “It gives the orchestra members the chance to play for people who may not have heard a high school string group or had any experience with strings close up,” said Ms. Wittenkeller. “Many of my students told me they were excited to play for a 'football' audience.” 

Another benefit: performing at Maple Stadium presents obstacles that force our orchestra members to think differently. “They have to call on their problem-solving skills,” said Ms. Wittenkeller. “They need to play louder and project to the audience. Our violin and viola players need to stand while playing, which is unusual. The ground can be uneven, which is tricky for our celli and bass players. And there's not much light after the sun goes down, so they need to prepare for that, too. It isn't at all like playing on stage, so it's a good experience that makes them think outside the box and address the challenges.”

Ms. Wittenkeller has been directing the Adrian Orchestras since 1987. We asked her what she likes best about her work. “I love the students. I love being able to see how they grow and change through the years. Teaching them from 6th through 12th grade is a privilege and an honor.  I spoke with a former student at the last home football game. He told me how his experience in orchestra was one of the factors that led him to be a music major. I feel so blessed to know that I've made an impact on students through music. It's very humbling.”

On October 19th, the Adrian Maples took their 2019 "Incredibles" halftime show to the annual marching band festival in Jackson, Michigan. The event is sponsored by MSBOA, the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. The judges awarded the band an overall score of 2, the second-highest mark. 

Under the direction of Steve Antalek, the 2019-2020 Lady Blues performed a few numbers for the crowd at Artalicious, the annual art fair in downtown Adrian. Watch as the group sings "(Somewhere) Over the Rainbow."

The video above shows the Adrian Maples Marching Band hard at work on a warm evening in late September. The band was tightening up their 2019 show for the Homecoming game later in the week and the annual Lenawee County Marching Band Festival at Adrian College the next night. 

​The band is under the direction of Aaron Mykeloff and Sheri Powers. 

Here are a few shots from the first game of the 2019 / 2020 football / marching season. 

In the video above, you'll see members of the 2019-2020 Maples Marching Band preparing for the upcoming marching season. The show will feature music from the 2004 Pixar movie, The Incredibles. 

This year's 28 freshmen make up about one-third of the band, so while there's a lot of learning ahead, the group is off to a very strong start. The season will consist of four home football games, a pair of marching band competitions, at least two parades, the 2nd annual Glow Show, and the elementary school tour. 

The marching band is under the direction of Aaron Mykeloff and Sheri Powers. 

Alex Zick is the new Treasurer of the Adrian Music Boosters. He was elected at our May 21st meeting.

A Sales Representative with Adrian Tool Corporation, Alex earned his degree in business administration from Siena Heights University, as well as an Associate's degree in business admin from Jackson College.

Alex has two kids. His daughter attends the University of Michigan and his son is a member of the AHS band. In his spare time, Alex enjoys bowling and golfing.

We'd like to thank our former Treasurer, Annette Armentrout, for her many years of service to the Music Boosters. She's even agreed to stay involved to help Alex transition into his new role. 

Returning to their Music Booster offices are Secretary Beth Mehan-Wood, Vice President Susan Darr and President Scott Greggory.  

The choirs of Springbrook Middle School took to the AHS Performing Arts Center stage May 21st to present their final concert of the 2018-2019 school year. Enjoy these highlights.