Image courtesy of WSD
Both high and middle school bands will join Dallas Brass on stage, following educational clinics
There is no need to drive all the way into the city to enjoy enriching musical concerts, especially with Wissahickon School District (WSD) inviting some of the most talented right into our community.
The American Musical Journey with the Dallas Brass will be playing on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. And the band will have a few special additions to its usual ensemble. The Wissahickon Middle and High schools’ bands will also join in on the tunes!
“Dallas Brass has captivated audiences across the country with its unique blend of brass instruments and engaging performances,” said Communications Coordinator for WSD Kristen Rawlings. “This will be an unforgettable evening as Wissahickon students will have the incredible opportunity to perform alongside these world-class musicians.”
The public is invited to attend the concern, which Rawlings said is a “great opportunity to support the school community, enjoy liver performances, and celebrate the talent of our young musicians.”
The joint concert comes after a clinic with the band students and Dallas Brass, where the professional group offered tips on becoming musicians. Margaret Oswald, instrumental director at Wissahickon High School, said that it was a great opportunity for her students.
“I hope [the students] feel proud of their performance, excited about performing music for the rest of their lives, and inspired to grow as musicians,” said Oswald of her musically talented class. “Students are feeling excited and nervous for this event. They’ve been working hard to put together a performance in just three weeks of school. Normally we take several months to get ready for performances. We can’t wait to play on stage with Dallas Brass.”
Oswald said she’d seen the group perform in New Hampshire, where she served as a professional development chair. As Dallas Brass planned its tour, Oswald partnered with the Wissahickon Middle School’s director to bring them to Wissahickon.
“One of the greatest things about Dallas Brass is that they really believe music is for life,” said Oswald. “They discuss ways to continue performing beyond the K through 12 music experience. I can’t wait to have students get live feedback from performing professional musicians!”
The high school band director said she knows the students will take away a lot of great lessons from the experience.
“I know they will walk away with techniques that we can immediately use in rehearsals,” she said. “Students will also get to hear fantastic music and see an incredible performance.”
Oswald, who said she could talk for hours on the subject, said that music participation adds so much to a student’s life.
“Students in music classes form an incredible community where it is safe to explore new ideas, celebrate each other’s successes, and collaborate to improve as a group,” said the instructor. “While we’re rigorously working toward our performances, our daily lessons are often a stress reliever and an anxiety reducer in the busy school day.”
She said students can really find themselves through music.
“It encourages self-expression and builds confidence,” said Oswald. “Students develop soft skills like organization and time management all while engaging in something they are truly passionate about. In short, music education not only enhances students’ education, but it also fosters a supportive and enriching environment that positively impacts their overall well-being and growth.”
Travis Hill, director of bands at the Wissahickon Middle School agreed. He said the upcoming performance has been a pretty big deal to his students.
“This performance, clinic, and rehearsal with the Dallas Brass is truly awesome for our students,” said Hill. “When students start their instruments, there is always such excitement. At the middle school level, we’re always working to find ways to connect that excitement into action, to instill a deep love of music that will push them through the next several years of work, learning, and growth.”
Hill said that, seeing active professionals in such a fun and important role has been helpful for those just starting out.
“Getting an opportunity to see professionals who LOVE music and have made a life around music is invaluable to their growth as people and musicians,” he said.
Hill said that his students don’t have to become fulltime musicians to enjoy their playing abilities throughout life.
“I play and perform with many different bands that are full of amazing musicians from many different walks of life,” he said. “Some members are what we’d think of as ‘professional musicians’ who have made their whole career on playing music. The majority of people in these groups, however, are continuing their musical passions for life and have varied careers in so many other fields. To be able to see what music can do for these students and how it can impact them for the rest of their lives is a real treat.”
The director said that this is a wonderful chance that his students will have to experience such talent and drive that he hopes has a lasting impression.
“I’m excited to connect the middle school band students with both the high school students and the Dallas Brass musicians to inspire them to keep music in their lives forever,” said Hill.
The concert will be held on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Wissahickon High School Auditorium, 521 Houston Road, in Ambler. It is open to the public. Tickets are $15 pe person and are available online here.
