From the Coordinators Desk

“Always Look Forward”

It would be very easy to be Coordinator of an outstanding instrumental music program such as Pennsbury’s and have an attitude of “just keep it going and we will be fine”!  As I look around our district, and specifically at our program, I am constantly reminded that status quo (fine) is not acceptable. My Father would say “if you are not moving forward you are moving backward”!

I was reminded to move forward when I observed our students during the summer’s voluntary Marching Band rehearsals. I observe students who came in as awkward freshmen now stepping up into leadership positions and assuming responsibilities the equivalent of CEO’s of small businesses - or students who I would have bet had two left feet now marching up a storm - or students who couldn’t even blow their noses as freshmen now assuming the responsibilities of section leaders, soloists and officers (I would never mention Rich Beem’s or Ben Lupinacci’s name here, it would embarrass them) - it is always tremendously exciting to observe!

Some things that we will be addressing in the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program will be the implementing of technology, increasing enrollment and making the community aware of how special our program is. The Pennsbury Marching Band’s announcement begins with “The Pennsbury Marching Band is internationally recognized as one of the premier marching bands in the United States.” This announcement very much could be made for our entire program. It is a program that supports a music faculty that is a who’s who in music education and in which all of our bands and orchestras, from top to bottom, are award winning ensembles. As Coordinator, I question if the Pennsbury Community is aware of the opportunity that awaits their students right in their own backyard! Do they know that their high school orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall? Do they know that the band director at William Penn has national publications and brings in annually nationally recognized composers and clinicians to his students? Do they know that the Pennsbury School District instrumental music students make up between 20-33% of local and regional music festivals ensembles and have made up to 10%  of state festivals! I could go on here for at least the length of this publication!

You will be hearing a lot regarding “Smartmusic”. Smartmusic is a program that basically implements technology into instrumental music instruction. As a department we are embracing this program on all levels and hope to have a large portion implemented from elementary to high school by the end of this year.

I would like to recognize the outstanding work that Mr. Michael McGarry did as Coordinator in the Pennsbury School District for the past four years. Mike is one of those who’s who that I discussed earlier and I am very appreciative of the job he did as Coordinator and sincerely wish him well in all of his future endeavors. The Pennsbury School District has benefited tremendously from his teaching, musicianship and leadership.

Not to conclude on a down note but the Pennsbury School District, and specifically the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Department, lost a dear friend and avid supporter with the passing of Dr. Patricia Johnston. “We have lost a dedicated professional who personified the spirit of Pennsbury,” said district CEO Paul Long. She earned her Ph.D. from University of Pennsylvania and was also a Pennsbury High School graduate. The Pennsbury Music Program is very well supported by the entire Pennsbury Administration but Dr. Johnston had a special place in her heart for our program, and specifically the Long Orange Line. Dr. Johnston presented the Hong Kong tour to the Pennsbury Board of Education. I always could count on Dr. Johnston at the first football game waiting at “the gate” after our first field show with a smile, accolades and sincere well wishes for the program. She will be sincerely missed.

I am very much looking forward to serving this wonderful district in the capacity as coordinator of instrumental music.

Frank Mazzeo

Instrumental Music Coordinator