Instrumental Update in Pennsbury

I’d like to start by congratulating the members of our Long Orange Line for another successful season.  A huge “thank you” goes to Mr. Mazzeo, Mr. Capriotti, the entire marching band staff and the band boosters for all of your hard work. Your continued dedication and commitment to the band is exceptional and always appreciated. 

I am proud to announce that Pennsbury is sending 20 students to the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association [PMEA] District 11 Band Festival and 12 students to the Orchestra Festival this year.  Congratulations to these exceptional young musicians.  It is indeed an honor to be selected for these prestigious, high-level ensembles.  

Pennsbury is participating and hosting the second annual PMEA District 11 Elementary Band Fest on Friday, March 28, 2008. It is a one-day, all-inclusive event with a late-morning through afternoon rehearsal, followed by an evening concert.  Our elementary band staff consists of Mr. Doris, Mr. Bygott, Mrs. Stafford and Ms. Hinson, and they are sending 32 students to the festival. Congratulations to our young, talented elementary students for being nominated by their band directors for this celebrated event.

Concerts and various performances are underway at all levels in the district. For your information, Ms. Dobson conducted a wonderful Middle School Orchestra Concert in early January, and Mrs. Rhone will return on January 31, 2008. A big “thank you” goes to Ms. Dobson for filling in, and all of us here in Pennsbury offer best wishes for a bright and successful future.

Pennsbury has established a partnership with the Newtown Chamber Orchestra. They will be performing a concert at PHS East on Sunday, March 9 at 3 p.m. in the auditorium.  Opening the concert will be our very own Falcon Strings conducted by Mr. Evanowicz.

At a recent Bucks County Music Educators Association meeting, it was agreed that Pennsbury would host the BCMEA Festival during the 2008-09 school year, due to the anticipated construction delays at Neshaminy. For the first time, the festival will have the instrumental groups and vocal groups performing separate concerts because of our facilities in Pennsbury. The Middle School Band, High School Band and Orchestra will perform a concert at our east location, while the Middle School and High School Choruses will perform at our west location. 

I’m excited to announce that Smart Music software has been approved and ordered for each staff member.  This new technology will help instrumental music students in many ways.

This letter would not be complete without mentioning the highly anticipated marching band trip to Hong Kong in March. A trip like this brings a high level of excitement and is the opportunity of a lifetime for our students. An immense “thank you” to Mr. Mazzeo, his staff, members of the executive board of the boosters, the band boosters, students, parents, chaperones and everyone else involved for all of your efforts in making this wonderful trip become a reality.

Warmest regards,

Michael McGarry

215-428-4237 x40165

mmcgarry@pennsbury.k12.pa.us