IT'S OFFICIAL: NEW MUSIC BOOSTERS ASSN. EXECUTIVE BOARD TAKES SHAPE

The Burlington High School Music Boosters Association is pleased to announce its Executive Board members for the 2010-2011 school year.

President: Donna Gregorio
Vice President for Band: Brenda Cahoon
Vice President for Chorus: Maryellen Schissler
Secretary: Vicki Kikuchi
Treasurer: Sue Frost
Members at Large: Steve Parker, Faydeen Sateriale

Committee Chairs are as follows:
Publicity and Blog: Vanessa Ovian
Fund Raising: Shirley Fong, Rebecca Cote annd Carol Sheldon
Hospitality: Shirley Fong and Phyllis Fleishman

The first general meeting for the BHS Music Boosters Association will take place on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:30 in the band room of the high school. An overview of the year will be presented and will include the upcoming Gala Benefit Concert and Silent Auction, scholarships for band and chorus members, and several other important issues.

All parents and/or guardians of BHS Marching Band, Dance Squad, Color Guard and BHS Chorus and Select Chorus students are invited to attend this meeting.

SENIORS AND PARENTS RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE AT THANKSGIVING GAME

The Burlington High School Marching Band, Color Guard and Dance Squad joined the football and cheering squad on Thanksgiving morning during a special pre-game ceremony acknowledging seniors and their parents. Although this is the first of several bittersweet acknowledgements as our seniors move towards graduation, it is also one that is heartfelt on behalf of both the Music and Athletic Boosters organizations.

Senior Marching Band students and parents acknowledged this past Thursday were: Nick Abruzzese accompanied by Michelle and Mike; Ian Drummond accompanied by Thembekile and David; Carolyn Kelly accompanied by Paula and James; Eric Leva accompanied by Diane and Dennis; David Murray accompanied by Beth and Al; Kevin Parker accompanied by Maureen and Steven; and Chelsea Rose accompanied by Tim and Marcy. Senior Color Guard members and their parents were: Ericka Bojarczuk accompanied by David and Linda; Katie Campbell accompanied by Michelle and Ken; Nichole Chilliest accompanied by Naomi and Dennis; Theresa Colella accompanied by Jean and Russell; Zeeshan Mangoob accompanied by Syeda and Syed; Chelsea Rustenberg accompanied by Barbara; Taylor Waisnor accompanied by Karen and Bill; and Barbara Wye accompanied by Felise Llano and Jonathan. Finally, senior Dance Squad members and parents were: Christina Kashgegian accompanied by Lori and Mark; and Andrea McSheehy accompanied by Beth.

Most of the BHS Marching Band, Color Guard and Dance Squad members have served the school and community for four years. They have given up their final two weeks of every summer vacation for Band Camp and have foregone many Friday night and Saturday afternoon activities. The members of this group of students have learned that sacrifice has its rewards on the performance field and beyond. It has built a sense of discipline, dignity and pride in both the students and the parents who have given their support.

The Music Boosters would also like to send a special thank you to Matt Lovell (Director, Band), Amanda Potts (Assistant Director, Band), Jen Agati (Advisor, Color Guard), Leanne Reardon (Advisor, Dance Squad) and Joe Cincotta (Advisor, Percussion) for their hours and hours of rehearsal time spent with all the students.

Congratulations to one and all for your dedication and accomplishments.

VETERAN'S DAY IN PHOTOS

The Burlington High School Marching Band, Color Guard and Dance Squad helped pay tribute to veterans of foreign wars this morning on the Burlington Common.

The events began at 9:00 am with the "Call to Colors," played by Nick Abruzzese on trumpet, as the flags were raised. The students of the band soon followed with the full program at 10:00 am, making their entrance in an approach from across the green to the rhythm of a single snare cadence.

The students stood at attention through the Pledge of Allegiance, and continued with the playing of the National Anthem. Following a variety of speeches and tributes, the performance piece was a medley of military anthems, played with the utmost of pride, a fitting tribute to all the veterans who stood at attention.

BHS MARCHING BAND WOWS CROWD AT SALEM INVITATIONAL

On the evening of Saturday, October 10, the Burlington High School Marching Band took to the field at the Salem (NH) High School Fourteenth Invitational Band Show. One of 16 bands participating in this event ranging in size from 27 to over 300 members, the BHS Marching Band of nearly 100 held its own as an annual favorite of the crowd of 3,000 in the stands.

Demonstrating not only its musical prowess but an ability to entertain the masses with its performances of “Star Trek Themes” and “Cantina Island” (music from “Star Wars”), the BHS bandies were described with great excitement by spectators as “a show band.” The moment the Color Guard lit up the field with their sudden burst of flags at the beginning of the show, the crowd surrendered its attention to the Burlington band. From the dance squad members re-enacting the fight scene in “Cantina Island,” to the rock and roll legs of the musicians, to the percussion section undulating rotation, the students from BHS made a huge impression on the spectators, bringing the crowd to their feet with wild cheers and a standing ovation when all was said and done!

The BHS Marching Band always seems to set the standard for new and innovative marching routines and often sees its ideas and movements brought back in the following years by bands who have been witness to their creativity. Congratulations to the entire Marching Band for their ingenuity and outstanding performance. Special thanks to Director Matt Lovell, Assistant Director Amanda Potts, Color Guard Advisor Jen Agati, Dance Squad Advisor Leanne Reardon and Percussion Advisor Joe Cincotta. Extra special congratulations to our student leaders, Drum Majors Eric Leva and Caitlin Riggs, Color Guard Captains Taylor Waisnor and Erin Kelley, and Dance Squad Captains Christina Kashgegian and Andrea McSheehy.