Band students meet with member of U.S. Marine Band

When Bellefonte Area High School students participate in band, they learn more than just how to play an instrument. It also sometimes comes with education about injury prevention and best practices.

After all, injuries that may occur include hearing loss, back issues, arthritis, TMJ and more.

And that’s what Staff Sgt. Cecilia Buettgen talked about with many of Band Director Caleb Rebarchak’s students during a presentation on November 2. Buettgen is a French horn player in the United States Marine Band and offered a free virtual clinic with the program.

“The President’s Own U.S. Marine Band is one of the premiere concert bands in the world, and I wasn’t going to pass up on an opportunity for someone from that ensemble to join our students virtually for a clinic,” Rebarchak said. “It was great.”

Rebarchak said several topics were offered, which he selected one he thought was most applicable to his students – injury prevention and recovery – along with the chance for students to participate in a question-and-answer session with Buettgen.

According to the U.S. Marine Band website, Buettgen joined the band in May 2013 after longtime musical training. Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Buettgen was the acting principal horn of the Beijing National Opera House in China; and performed with the Columbus and Lima Symphony Orchestras in Ohio; the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra; Richmond Symphony Orchestra in Indiana; and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra.