Published July 2, 2020
By ALLIE HASTINGS
NORTH READING — The North Reading Music Boosters organization has started a capital fundraising campaign to purchase two new percussion instruments for the town’s music programs – in preparation for the fall 2020 Marching Band season – and they are seeking support from the community at this time.
For decades, the North Reading High School Band specifically has brought music into the local community, performing at town-wide ceremonies and parades, holiday celebrations at the Town Common, home football games, and Thanksgiving Day Football games. Students in band play at events and concerts year-round, and are also eligible to audition for regional- and state-level competitions. The High School Concert Band was adjudicated at Disney World’s “Music in the Park” program in 2016, and the Marching Band has previously been adjudicated at MICCA and NESBA exhibitions.
This unique and ever-changing music ensemble has continued to expand and witness positive growth under the direction of Ben Owens, who stepped forward when Eric Forman retired from the position in 2018. In the fall of 2019, the Marching Band received a Silver Award at its MICCA competition – which equates to a four out of five star overall ranking – and welcomed two sousaphone players into the ensemble for the first time in over a decade.
To meet the demand of the growing percussion section, which currently makes up one-third of the Marching Hornets and is welcoming six new members in the fall, Owens is requesting the purchase of a new marimba and vibraphone, which combined cost an estimated total of $8,000.
At this time, the Music Boosters are just shy of reaching half their goal, as a total of $3,935 has been donated thus far. These keyboard instruments are expected to last for many years and will remain the property of the North Reading Public Schools moving forward.
Fulfilling this investment would allow for the band’s sound to build and become advanced overtime, as students in the percussion section would be granted the opportunity to experiment with these new instruments and further their musical abilities. While many students moving up through North Reading’s music programs from Middle to High School have at least one instrument in their possession, specialty instruments like a marimba and vibraphone are too costly and are not expected of families to provide.
The addition of new musical equipment benefits everyone in an ensemble, as students see the value in collective group improvement and often remain in music programs for several years in order to observe these positive developments first-hand.
Rising senior Kevin Shang, who is going to be the Drum Major for the fall 2020 Marching Band season, notes that, “Specifically, for Marching Band, it’s less about being the best, and more about wanting to be better than we were last year.”
When discussing the topic of North Reading’s music programs as a whole, Shang stated that he’s grateful for everything that the band has provided for him over the course of his Middle and High School career, and noted that his skills of sight-reading and multi-tasking have strengthened as a result of the music education he’s received in town.
Rising junior Wesley Fisher, who was recently voted by his peers to become the Assistant Drum Major, mirrors these sentiments as well and acknowledges that he will only continue to learn more in the future. “I want to push myself to become both a better musician and person at the same time by connecting with people, and by proving my musical capabilities,” he said.
Shang plays the saxophone and Fisher is a percussionist; both students have been involved in North Reading’s music programs since the fourth grade and wholeheartedly believe that their leadership skills and confidence levels have increased as a result of being members of the band.
Due to the uncertainties of the current climate, Owens is not quite sure what the next few months hold in store for the band, but he is looking forward to welcoming his students back in the fall so that they can practice and prepare for their in-person performances.
“Dream On”
The Marching Band’s 2020 theme for their competitive show is titled “Dream On,” which will feature music by Aerosmith, John Lennon, Shostakovich, and more. Owens is pleased that North Reading’s music programs have flourished over the past two years, and he remains extremely thankful for the community’s continued support of the arts.
Additionally, Owens wants to encourage students who are anxiously waiting to reunite to continue playing and making music at home, even if group jam sessions can only be held virtually for the time being.
Shang agrees that music can help soothe the soul, as he says, “During these times where you can’t really meet with other people, and it’s not safe to go out, or if you’re stuck inside, music is always a good thing to play or listen to.”
Many ways to donate
Donations for the Music Boosters’ capital campaign are gratefully being accepted through Friday, July 10; all remaining funds will go toward other desired percussion instruments, such as cymbals, a bass drum, and a gong.
Those who are willing and able to support the Music Boosters and the High School Marching Band can find the GoFundMe campaign link on their Facebook page, “NR Music Boosters,” or send a check to the North Reading Music Boosters, P.O. Box 342, North Reading, MA 01864.
Questions or comments related to the fundraiser can be directed to the Music Boosters organization at nrmusicboosters@gmail.com. Specific inquiries regarding the High School and Middle School band programs can be directed to Ben Owens at bowens@nrpsk12.org.
Editor’s note: As the Transcript was going to press, an anonymous donor stepped forward offering to match donations received by the July 10 deadline of up to $2,000.
