KINGFIELD – Every Monday morning, the sound of music fills the air at Webster Hall. As students from all four SAD 58 elementary schools file into the building, those who arrived before them are setting up music stands, opening instrument cases and warming up.
Scales can be heard being played on clarinets and saxophones, drums provide a steady beat in the background, and flutes provide a lilting tune. Thirty-five students from grades five through eight gather to play together as a band, under the direction of music teacher Bea Milewski. They come from Stratton and Kingfield, Strong and Phillips with one purpose: practice, practice practice.
“Playing an instrument is something you can do your whole life,” explained Lizzie Chenard, a baritone sax player from Kingfield School. “It stays with you forever, you’ll always be able to do it, and besides, it’s really fun.”
The band program is in its fifth year in SAD 58 and is rising like a phoenix after being cut from the school budget for more than 10 years. Overall, 90 students take advantage of the music and band programs for students in grades five through 12. Much of that is due to Milewski’s love of teaching music and the support of the school system.
“We have had a strong participation from students since we started, and I’m very proud of their accomplishments,” Milewski said. “The program also has a strong support behind it, from the school board and administrators, to teachers, parents and the communities. It’s truly been wonderful.”
What else is wonderful is the sound of the band, whether at practice or performances. Last year, the elementary and high school band members traveled to each school in the district for a combined concert that was well-received. This spring, there are bigger and even better plans afoot to put these musicians before the local public’s eye and ears – and beyond.
The band is currently fundraising in order to buy band uniforms; band members hope to raise enough money to travel to Orlando, Fla., in the spring of 2007. The plan is for the SAD 58 high school band to spend four days and three nights there with other school bands from around the country. While in Florida, they would perform daily concerts for the crowds.
Other plans include playing at the district art festival at Mt. Abram High School on April 11. Band members are also selling T-shirts, spring flower bulbs, raffle tickets and having food sales on a regular basis in their fundraising efforts. Milewski is determined to keep the band in the public eye and hopes everyone enjoys the show.
“I am working on a plan to have the band, hopefully in their new uniforms, play in every parade held this summer in the school district,” she said. “That’s a wonderful way for everyone in each community to hear what these kids can do.”
Summer festivals and parades are held in Stratton, Kingfield and Phillips each year, so the opportunity to strut their stuff is definitely there.
Milewski teaches class every afternoon at the high school and Mondays at Webster Hall with all elementary students. She divides her other weekday mornings among the four elementary schools.
Forrest Collins of Kingfield has his own take on the band experience. The drummer said, “I like keeping the beat for the rest of the band. This is my fourth year, and I really like that we get to meet new people from other schools before we all get to high school and play together in concerts.”
Devin Littlefield of Stratton School agrees. He said, “I like getting together with everyone here and when we do concerts together, and the music we play, well, it’s just fun.”
For more information on the SAD 58 band program, its fundraising efforts, concert/event schedule or ways to support their efforts, contact [email protected].
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