$123,000.
That's how much money the Elizabeth Wilson Foundation donated to Adrian Public Schools' music and performing arts programs between 2003 and June 2017. To say that the Wilson Foundation has been an enthusiastic supporter of our young people and their music and theater education is an understatement. We can't thank the organization enough for what they've given to our schools and community. Most recently, the Wilson Foundation provided a total of $13,000 for various needs. Director of Bands Dan Kesterke was given $6,000 so the Adrian High School drum line can purchase new carriers and field stands. Our current carriers are breaking down and are not able to properly support the marching percussion equipment. Junior high school Orchestra Director Lorri Wittenkeller received $4,000 for 120 new Wenger student musician chairs. The school is providing matching funds. Springbrook's chairs are more than 30 years old and deteriorating rapidly. And with the addition of sixth grade students to the 7/8 building, the new chairs will certainly come in handy. Mrs. Miloser was given $3,000 so the elementary music program can buy Orff tone bars. Orff instruments provide our elementary students with increased opportunities for hands-on music learning. Theresa Powers is the Foundation's president. "Since 2003, the Elizabeth R. Wilson Foundation has had the pleasure of partnering with teachers at Adrian Public Schools to help provide quality music and performing arts education for students,” she said. "I’m proud to say we've bought many band and orchestra instruments, lap tops, music stands, chairs and choral risers. We've also helped with field trips to concerts, performances at Art-A-Licious, and attendance to the Lenawee County Fine Arts Festival." The Adrian Music Boosters extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Wilson Foundation for their dedication to our common cause. We are lucky to have them as a true partner in our joint mission of providing arts-related opportunities for Adrian students. The Adrian Music Boosters is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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Adrian High School Orchestra Director Jeff Lang presented honors to two students during the annual AHS Achievement Awards Night on May 17th.
“Junior Mitchell Sielsky and senior Hailey Trusty are two outstanding students who both exceeded even my expectations," said Mr. Lang. "They performed well under the toughest circumstances.” Mitchell plays bass. "He goes above and beyond all the time in orchestra,” said Lang. “He volunteers to play in double ensembles, and gives of his free time to help out whenever he's needed. Mitchell is also one of the friendliest and kindest students I've ever had." Senior viola player Hailey Trusty was also acknowledged with an Orchestra Award. Mr. Lang said he saw a lot of musical growth in Hailey during her senior year. “She took over as principal of her section. When she struggled with her solos, she came in every day before school to practice on her own or get help from me, so that she could do her best for the music and her classmates. When it came time for a performance, she shined. She really showed that hard work pays off." Congratulations Hailey and Mitchell. Thank you for your dedication to our orchestra and Adrian music. Adrian's 8th grade band traveled to Lansing on May 25th to play at the foot of Michigan's historic Capitol building.
The performance was part of the Capitol's Spring Music Program, an annual event opened to all middle and high school bands, orchestras and jazz ensembles. This year, a total of 18 groups from schools all around Michigan will participate throughout May and June. The 8th graders met the representative of our 17th district, State Senator Dale Zorn, and were treated to a tour of the Capitol, including the House and Senate chambers. Following lunch, they visited Marshall Music, one of our Music Booster sponsors. Thank you to Mrs. Powers, Mr. Kesterke, Jeff Caris and Corie Walworth for all your efforts and making this wonderful day possible. At the 25th Annual Adrian High School Achievement Awards Night on May 17th, Director of Bands Dan Kesterke wrapped up the school year by presenting two student musicians with the band's highest honors. Senior drummer Jordan Pelphrey received the Adrian Bandsman Award. It's given to the student who personifies the character of the Adrian High School Band: musicianship, work ethic, dependability, and positive peer influence. “Jordan's musical path focused on outside performances in the marching arts. He then brought his experiences back to the drumline,” said Kesterke. Along with playing tenor drums in the AHS Marching Band, Jordan played bass drum with the Kalamazoo-based Legends Drum Corps last season. He was an IB music student, and will attend Siena Heights University in the fall of 2017 to study Music Education. Senior clarinetist Crosby Slupe received the John Philip Sousa Award. It's given in recognition of a superior musician with exemplary skill on his primary instrument, as well as leadership in his section and the band, and outside dedication to his craft. “Crosby has spent many hours on performance craft, composing, and music theory,” said Kesterke. “Through his efforts, he's shown the students in his section some of the more difficult clarinet techniques.“ In 2016, Crosby wrote and co-arranged a musical comedy called “Europe!” He also hired musicians and oversaw the recording of a few of the show's songs. In addition to performing with several AHS bands and The Balladiers, he's taught himself other instruments, and played gigs with small jazz combos and several pit orchestras for area theater productions. He recently wrote and performed an online album of original music called “The Extra-Philosophical E.P.” Mr. Kesterke said that “both students have been instrumental in the band's growth this season,” and that “the awards this year fit both candidates.” Thank you, Adrian, for your commitment to the arts.
Your most recent expression of that commitment can be seen in the newly renovated Croswell Opera House. For generations, the Croswell has been a hub of creative energy. And with all the preservation work and improvements that were made during the year-long restoration, its status as our community's jewel has been secured for decades ahead. So, if you gave money or time or skill or hard work toward that effort, thank you. If you support the Croswell's mission as a season ticket holder, thank you. If you've been a performer on stage or in the pit - as so many Adrian music students have been over the years - thank you. And to Adrian High School alum Jere Righter and her Croswell team, thank you for your vision, for your passion, and for sharing your love of live theater and music - that creative expression of the human experience that adds so much flavor to our lives. Take your bow. You've earned it. On Monday, May 1st, Adrian's 8th grade band spent some time at AHS rehearsing with the high school band. The result: nearly 100 young musicians filling the room with wonderful sound.
It's one of several planned transition activities our band directors put together for the incoming freshmen. According to Sheri Powers, the rehearsal lets her 8th graders experience playing in the larger high school ensemble. They get to work with their future band mates and director, Mr. Kesterke. They learn about band camp, and they rehearse the piece they'll perform with the high school group during Band-O-Rama on May 16th. "This is one of my favorite days of the year,” said Mrs. Powers. “I love watching the eighth graders' expressions of awe when they play with the high school band for the first time. And it's rewarding to see the interactions as the high school musicians welcome the eighth graders into the ensemble." Band Camp is the key to starting the marching band season on the right foot, for each individual musician and for the band as a whole.
It's an important experience that helps band members bond, learn how to work together, and push each other to be better. And for many, it's one of the first steps toward growing more confident and becoming independent. Band Camp Fast Facts Dates: Band Camp 2017 runs from Sunday, July 30th until Saturday, August 5th. Location: The Amigo Centre, 26455 Banker Road, Sturgis, Michigan. Phone: (269)651-2811. Check-in: In front of Adrian High School: Sunday, July 30th at noon. Load-in: We'll begin loading luggage and instruments onto the buses at 1pm. Departure: The buses will leave to transport marching band members to Band Camp at 2pm. Camp performance: Band Camp concludes with an on-field run-through of the season's first show in Sturgis, Saturday, August 5th at noon. Camp breaks: Marching band members leave Sturgis with their parents. The school van will be available for students who need a ride back to Adrian. To request roommates, students should click here to use this Google doc. Cost Band Camp 2017 costs $260 per camper. That fee includes all meals, cabin accommodations, activities, and group and personal musical instruction. There are two ways to defer the cost of Band Camp. You can apply any money in your music student's personal Music Booster account. You or your student can earn money for that account by: 1) Using Scrip gift cards 2) Working in our concession stand during football games 3) Selling and/or making apple pies during our annual pie sale If you need to know your student's Music Booster account balance, please email Lisa Gillin at [email protected]. You may also be eligible for a Music Boosters' grant. Click this link and complete your application by June 1st, 2017. Payments can be made by check or money order to Adrian Public Schools. Please do not send cash. Mail your check(s) or money order(s) to: Sheri Powers 202 Melrose Avenue Adrian, Michigan 49221 If you need assistance with paying for all or part of Band Camp, please notify Mrs. Powers or Mr. Kesterke as quickly as possible. We believe Band Camp is very important, and we don't want anyone to miss it for any reason. Informational Meeting Please join us for a parent / camper meeting, Wednesday, July 19th at 6:30pm in the Adrian High School band room. We'll provide a general overview, answer questions, and accept student medical forms. Band Camp Forms Registration and Medical Information Student Band Camp Code of Conduct Adrian Public Schools Permission Slip Music Boosters Band Camp Grant Application (Due by June 1st) Medication Authorization Miscellaneous Information Band Camp Packing List Directions to The Amigo Centre |
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