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.
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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.
Under the direction of Lorri Wittenkeller, the Adrian 7th grade, 8th grade, Concert and Symphony Orchestras presented their 2019 Fall concert October 28th in the Adrian High School Performing Arts Center. Watch a few highlights in the video above. Visit our friends at Maggard Razors in downtown Adrian or online.
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. We're proud to recommend Adrian-based Maggard Razors, long-time supporters of Adrian music.
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. Maggard Razors is a long-time supporter of Adrian Music. Visit them in downtown Adrian or online at MaggardRazors.com.
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. We're so thankful to Dale Gaertner and the staff at WLEN 103.9 for their continued support of Adrian Music. In this episode of Community Conversation, Dale and Music Boosters President Scott Greggory talk about the value of music education, the simple ways that parents can support their child's interest in music, and the 2nd annual Mattress Sale. A focused, well-attended band camp is crucial to the success of the Adrian Maples marching band, and for the enjoyment of everyone involved in the program. It's an intense week of instruction. Members spend many hours marching the season's drill and working to learn their music. Students also participate in sectional and individual rehearsals with skilled music educators. But band camp also presents amazing opportunities for growth, leaving students with something more personal. Members learn the value of teamwork, organization and time management, along with the pride that comes with setting goals and achieving them. They can become more independent and confident, learn how to navigate a community of people, and develop strong friendships along the way. Of course, there's free time, too, for canoeing, basketball, and other fun activities. Plenty of great food as well. If you're the parent of an incoming freshman band member who's on the fence about band camp, or if your high school band member has never been to band camp before, we urge you to reach out to any Music Booster or music director to talk about any questions you may have. We're confident band camp will be a positive experience for your child. Band Camp Meeting Please attend the parent/camper meeting Monday, July 15th at 6:30pm in the Adrian High School band room. We'll talk about your expectations, collect your student's medical forms, and provide answers to all sorts of questions. 2019 Band Camp Dates: Sunday, July 28th through Saturday, August 3rd Location: The Amigo Center in Sturgis, Michigan (Directions) Check-in Time: 12PM at the AHS bus loop entrance Departure Time: 2PM from Adrian High School. Bus transportation is provided to camp. Total Camp Cost: $265. That includes all meals, lodging and instruction. Proposed Payment Schedule: April 10 - $25 May 10 - $80 June 10 - $80 July 15 - $80 Checks and money orders should be made payable to: Adrian Public Schools. For bookkeeping purposes, please do not send cash. Please mail all payments to: Sheri Powers 202 Melrose Ave. Adrian, Michigan 49221 If you believe you will not be able to afford the entire cost, please contact Mrs. Powers or Mr. Mykeloff to discuss options, including Music Booster scholarships. We never want any student to be denied this great experience because of a lack of funds. You can also apply the money in your student's personal Music Booster account toward the cost of Band Camp. You and your student can increase the money in that account by participating in any of the Music Booster fundraising activities, including the Apple Pie sale, the Mattress Sale and our concession stand. For information on your student's account balance, please email Booster Treasurer Annette Armentrout at [email protected]. Here are links to the forms each student will need to provide on or before check-in day, July 28th:
RELATED POSTS: Video: Worried About Band Camp? Watch This Video: Band Camp 2017: Thank You Videos: Why You Should Go To Band Camp Video: AHS Senior Says "Don't Miss This Experience" How's this for an ideal purchase? 1) You get a well-made, name-brand product that improves the quality of your life. 2) You save up to 50% on the price of that product. 3) Buying that product supports the education of children all over your city. Win-win-win! That's what will happen when you buy at the 2nd annual Adrian Music Boosters' Mattress Sale. Walk into the Adrian High School gym on April 27th between 10am and 5pm and you'll see more than 25 beds on display. Feel free to lie down and try them out. After you place your order, our partner - Custom Fundraising Solutions - will deliver to you a brand new, made-to-order mattress in the exact size you need. And because our one-day sale is not held in a retail store, CFS has no overhead. That's why you'll save so much money on your new mattress, pillows, sheets, frames and adjustable power bases. Tell your friends and family members about the money they can save on everything they need for a better night's sleep. And please visit our Facebook event and click "Going" - http://bit.ly/beds4adrian19 Watch the videos below for more details. The Adrian High School Orchestra took its music to the city's elementary schools on March 14th. Enjoy a few highlights in the video above.
Led by Director of Orchestras Lorri Wittenkeller, the annual event is designed to share the joys of orchestral music with our youngest students and inspire them to learn how to play an instrument. See this list of all the music classes offered through Adrian Public Schools. Since 1975, March has been Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM). The purpose of the nationwide designation is to draw focus to the importance of music education at all grade levels, as well as the lifelong benefits of studying and performing vocal and/or instrumental music. Music In Our Schools Month originated in the state of New York. To acknowledge the first celebration nearly 45 years ago, Governor Nelson Rockefeller provided a proclamation which stated the following: “Music is a powerful aesthetic force. It brings spirit and joy into the life of every individual. It dignifies the realm of feeling by merging intellect and emotion in the search of a humane way of life. It is fitting to recognize music in our schools as an essential part of the learning process. We must continue to encourage and support this significant art form, which, as it moves more deeply into the core of education, becomes a powerful single channel into the innermost feelings and responses of every child.” Members of the Adrian Music Boosters proudly serve our school's music directors and band, choir and orchestra students all year long, raising both money and awareness, and contributing in any way we can to provide powerful and lasting musical experiences. Join our effort. Attend our next meeting or contact a member of our board for more information. RELATED POSTS: Video - The Benefits of Being a Music Booster An Encouragement for Parents Video - The Value of Music Education Under the direction of Barbara Schenck, the Springbrook Middle School Choirs presented their pre-festival concert at Adrian High School's Performing Arts Center on March 5, 2019. Take a look at a sampling of their numbers in this video.
Under the direction of Lorri Wittenkeller, the Springbrook Middle School and Adrian High School Orchestras performed their pre-festival concert on March 4, 2019 for an appreciative Performing Arts Center audience. Enjoy a few highlights in the video above.
If you'd like to take a more active role in your student's music education, get involved with the Adrian Music Boosters. Join us at our next meeting. The Adrian High School Balladiers presented a two-night performance March 1st and 2nd at the AHS Performing Arts Center. Here's a slideshow of images from the event. |
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