HONORS WILL ABOUND AT MUSIC AWARDS BANQUET

The BHS Music Department will hold its annual Spring Awards Banquet tomorrow night. An annual event, the banquet will honor every student in the chorus and band with presentations to the students by year of service.

Mr. Middleton-Cox and Mr. Lovell will preside over the evening. The 99 Restaurant, a favorite of all music students and families for their extreme generosity and great food, will provide the meal. Desserts will be provided by student families.

It has been an unbelievable year for the students and staff of the music department. Looking back on all the activities beginning with band camp, roaring through football season, Christmas performances, Titanic, Winter/Ides of March/Spring Concerts, Mr. Lovell's 25th anniversary tribute, DisneyWorld and Great East/Six Flags, our students have not had enough time to stand in one spot for longer than five minutes!

Professional photos of the band and chorus will be available at the banquet, including those from DisneyWorld (seen above). Prices range from $5-$10.

The BHS Music Boosters would like to take the time to thank the administration for all their support, our staff for their never-ending dedication and patience, and the parents who have given so many, many hours of their time to make this year so extremely memorable for one and all.

ENJOY THE IDES OF MARCH!

The Burlington High School Music Department will hold its annual Ides of March Concert on Thursday, March 4, 2010, in the cafeteria of the high school. The concert will begin at 7:30 pm.

A favorite of many because of its relaxed cabaret atmosphere, the Ides of March Concert will feature the talents of the Burlington High School Chorus and Select Chorus under the direction of John Middleton-Cox, and the Burlington High School Concert and Jazz Band, under the baton of Matt Lovell.

The Ides of March Concert is free of charge. Freshmen and sophomore families have been asked to provide refreshments for the concert. The BHS cafeteria is handicapped accessible.

ODE TO A BAND DIRECTOR

Something awesome happened last night at the Burlington/Watertown football game. It was fourth quarter, the Red Devils were leading and the ball was in our possession and out of nowhere came the melody of a familiar song . . .
Na-na-na-na, Na-na-na-na, Hey, hey, goodbye . . .

For most, it was just the background sound of a couple of band members picking out the notes of a song, something not uncommon because the BHS kids do love to discover new songs on their instruments. Upon closer inspection, however, marching band director Matt Lovell was in middle of the players and melody. Next thing we knew he was calling out to change something to an “E flat,” then jumped back, closed his eyes tight, fingers writing something in the air, head bobbing back and forth. Section by section he worked out each part. Oh my gosh, is he spontaneously creating this arrangement in his head and then teaching it on the spot?

Indeed he was. What a treat this was to witness. Mr. Lovell, a teacher who is obviously passionate about music and his students, was in the midst of creating and implementing a lesson plan!

Much has been written about education and how technology is moving so fast that we will probably never get ahead of it. But honestly, sometimes there is nothing like old fashioned learning. Burlington parents are thrilled that our schools support and embrace music education with teachers who go beyond the call, providing unlimited opportunity for our students to learn and thrive.

Mr. Lovell often sings the praises of our students who are, and always have been, a creative and talented bunch. But with the lesson of last night’s arrangement, it’s no wonder. You know what they say . . . The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.