Festival connects students to professional musicians

According to a post on the Franklin Area School District’s official Facebook page, the Franklin Senior High Jazz Band recently performed at the annual Blues and BBQ Festival, an event that celebrates music while raising funds to support school music programs throughout Venango County.

The festival provided students with an opportunity to share their musical talents with the community while performing alongside other accomplished musicians. In addition to the performance experience, the event also brought significant support to Franklin’s music program and student musicians.

Two Franklin Senior High students, Alex Johnston and Travis Shingledecker, each received $2,000 scholarships in recognition of their achievements. The Jazz Band program also received $2,500 to support continued opportunities for student musicians.

The festival’s commitment to music education extends beyond financial support. Franklin Area School District noted that band director Steve Johnston helped develop the festival’s Artist in Residency program several years ago, creating opportunities for students to learn directly from professional musicians. Through the program, students have worked with acclaimed artists including Vanessa Collier, Miss Freddye and Max Schang, and are scheduled to collaborate with the Shaelynn Band during the upcoming school year.

Experiences like these help students develop musical skills, confidence and connections with professional artists while demonstrating the value of strong arts education programs in Pennsylvania’s public schools. The success of the Franklin Senior High Jazz Band highlights how community partnerships can create meaningful opportunities for student growth and achievement.