District collaborates to host PMEA Jr. High Band Fest

Jr High District Band

The Seneca Valley School District hosted the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 5 Junior High Band Fest on March 26. Students representing school districts across Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties were selected through an application process to participate in either the Seventh and Eighth Grade Band, or the Ninth Grade Band. Instrumentalists spend the day working with guest conductors to prepare the concert music that would be performed that evening for families and friends.

Guest conductors for this year’s band fest were Mr. Robert Traugh, educator, freelance composer and performer in the Pittsburgh area, and Dr. Jonathan Helmick, director of bands at Slippery Rock University.

Hosting an event as acclaimed as the PMEA Jr. High Band Fest is a great undertaking that took over a year of preparation and organizing. It also requires an incredible amount of collaboration. Ryan Gloyer Middle School (RGMS) Instrumental Directors Mr. Brian Croach and Mrs. Sara Snyder worked in close cooperation with administration, safety and security, and food services, to name a few. Dr. Denise Manganello, principal of the Seneca Valley Academy of Choice (SVAOC), opened the concert by offering a warm welcome to all visitors. Mr. Nolan Fetchko and the Seneca Valley food services department assisted by providing snacks and meals for the 225 student participants throughout the day. Security and parking services needed to accommodate the many participating schools were covered by Mr. Jason Young and his safety team. The result of all these efforts was a remarkable day for all students and directors that participated.

Seneca Valley participants in Grade 7/8 Band:
Austin Courtney, Megan Gates, Dahlia Marcin, Aaron Hardy, Kimberly Lopez-Lopez, Joey Lagamba, Leo Markowitz, Kyleigh Simoes, Gio Salgado, Colton Frankovitch, Daniel Kennaday, Caleb Karns, Brenden Schick, Caroline Holmes, Riliegh Karns, Saoirse Heilman, Quinton Hixon, Wyatt Levere, Jonathan Brower, Charlotte Obyc, Dreden Anderson

Seneca Valley participants in Grade 9 Band:
Willow Campbell, Ella King, Emma Gallie, Camden Armstrong, Stone Oechslein, Josh Heere, Nathan Lui, Anna Livorse, Imogen Tomo, Olivia Hennon, Josh Glover, Bobby Tammariello, Devlyn Broderick, Jack Schaar

A special thanks to Mr. Brian Croach and Ms. Sara Snyder, band directors at Ryan Gloyer Middle School, for hosting this annual PMEA event.