2024 Life Logs, Day 73: Falmouth Public Schools All Bands Night
Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Weather: Sunny; High Temp 47, Low 38 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth MA
The mission statement of the Falmouth Public Schools Music Department is, “The core subject of music is for every child and every child can be successful.” Once a year on All Bands Night, you get to see that mission statement come to life.
Students can start playing an instrument in elementary school. By the time they get to fifth and sixth grade at Morse Pond School, all students have the opportunity to join band and/or jazz band. That continues when they go to middle school at Lawrence. Then when they reach high school, there are many options—marching band, concert band, jazz band, chamber strings, concert choir, plus a whole host of other music classes. Once a year on All Bands night, the band from Morse Pond, the concert band from Lawrence Middle School, the concert band and strings from Falmouth High School, plus the jazz bands from each, fill the floor of the high school gymnasium and show off their skills.
The high school band begins the evening playing the Star Spangled Banner. Then the fifth grade band plays a song, next the sixth grade band, followed by the middle school band, and finally the high school band. Then it starts over, and each group plays a second song. Just watching the progression of skills is fascinating. They are all good. There is a short break while the band students who also play in jazz band move to the front and get settled. Starting with the fifth and sixth grade jazz band, each plays two songs. Ollie plays alto saxophone in the sixth grade band and jazz band
and Jonah is in the high school jazz band splitting his time between trombone and bass guitar.
The grand finale is all of the bands playing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture together with the only joint practice being just before the evening begins. And to top it off, the arrangement of that piece is by Mr. Borning, the fifth and sixth grade band teacher.
This night brings out more than the praises of a very proud grandmother.
The band directors are nothing less than amazing. I don’t know how many band members were on that gym floor tonight, but I would estimate at least 200. And they sounded great playing individually, and even more impressive when all were playing together. Hats off to the Falmouth Public Schools Music Department.
The rest of my day was filled with a morning Encore board meeting followed by a Shamrock Luncheon with live Irish music at Liam McGuire’s sponsored by Newcomers. It was a full day and tonight my back is telling me it needs a rest. I arrived early for the board meeting this morning and set up the tables and chairs before the others arrived. Probably not a great idea. I am going on a walk with Shadow and friend Olga Mitchell tomorrow morning, but I promised my back I will take it easy tomorrow afternoon.
