Health & Fitness
Junior Band Jam Rocks Anderson Middle School
The Berkley School District annual Junior Band Jam features the combined 5th grade bands and the combined 6th grade bands from BSD elementary and middle schools.
It was standing room only as the combined 5th grade bands from the Berkley School District’s five elementary schools (Angell, Burton, Norup, Pattengill and Rogers) and the combined 6th grade bands from Norup International and Anderson Middle School performed in the Anderson gym on Tuesday, March 19.
The 150-member 5th grade band played selections ranging from “Memories” to a Power Rock medley featuring Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” and “Another One Bites the Dust.”
The nearly 100-piece 6th grade band performed three selections under the direction of BHS and Norup International Band Director Alan Posner, including the final performance of the night, “Stand By Me.”
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Anderson Middle School Band Director Jeff Blazis-Voight conducted the 5th grade band and led the 6th grade band in its rendition of Brian Balmages' “Kilauea.” The evening was the culmination of weeks of planning by both directors.
Principals from several elementary and both middle schools were present, as were members of the district office.
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“Our district is extremely supportive of our music programs, but it takes a lot of fund development efforts to keep a music program strong,” noted Gordy Oliva, president of the Berkley Instrumental Boosters.
This week, the Berkley School District learned that it was named a “Best Community for Music Education” by NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) for the second year in a row. This national designation acknowledges school districts that have demonstrated exceptional efforts toward maintaining music education as part of its core curriculum.
