Livermore Falls’ band director Darrell Roundy strikes up a blend that includes Jay musicians.
LIVERMORE FALLS – Darrell Roundy, a baton in his right hand, his left hand poised to direct, looked around the band room. The students watched, their instruments ready.
“One, two, three, four. One, two, ready, go,” Roundy said, his hands and the instruments in sync as the first notes sounded.
The music “Swing Those Bells” rose stronger and more cohesive with each wave of the baton.
Not bad for a three-week-old band.
Or a blend of students from two schools.
Roundy, who directs the Livermore Falls High School band and is instrument teacher for SAD 36, recently stepped up to teach Jay High School band students.
Jay band teacher Dianne Fennalson is on maternity leave until after February vacation. When no one came forward to teach Jay’s band students in her absence, Jay Principal Peter Brown talked to Livermore Falls Principal Roderick Wright.
Would Roundy lead the way out of this predicament?
Yes, he would.
Roundy made room in the Livermore Falls band room for 26 additional students and their instruments. Those seats were added to the 43 already in place.
Most students in both concert bands agreed to the joint venture. The schools’ schedules lined up; Jay kids are bused to Livermore Falls for the 8 a.m. class.
Roundy said he could not take on the Jay Middle School students because he thought it would be too much. He already teaches Livermore Falls Middle School students. So the Jay Middle School band members are on hold until their teacher gets back.
But Jay High School students have the chance to play on in the combined band.
Among the new additions is Roundy’s son, Darren, a Jay senior.
“The thing that tickled me the most was that our kids reached out and accepted the Jay kids, who really wanted to play and who fit in very well,” Roundy said.
“I can tell they are getting to be friends; there’s some talking going on. The only negative is the size of the band room,” a tight fit for the expanded band.
Other than that, however, Roundy said everything has been positive, including Jay students’ interest in playing instruments that no Livermore Falls high student played this year: tuba and xylophone.
“This, I think, is a pretty good solution to a bad problem,” Roundy said. “I was a little bit worried how people would react, but it’s been positive, it really has.”
The joint band is scheduled to play in a holiday concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 at the Livermore Falls Middle School gymnasium. Roundy is also trying to arrange a concert for early February.
“They’re coming together quickly,” Roundy said.
Brian Castonguay, a sophomore from Livermore, plays timpani. “I like it because Jay kids play some instruments we don’t have,” Castonguay said. “It sounds good.”
Jay senior Heidi Purrington thinks so, too. “It sounds wonderful,” she said. “I’ve never played in a band this big at school … where everybody could help each other.”
It’s a good balance, Roundy noted, as he again raised his hands.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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