On Tuesday, May 18, the Fort Atkinson Middle School Band Program held its first concert in over one year. In a typical school year, the FAMS Bands would have between two and three concerts total, two of which would have occurred by this time. This concert not only marked the first performance of the year for many students, but for some, it was the first performance ever.
This year, according to FAMS Band Directors Andrea Haffelder and Sam Fettig, band students were virtual for the majority of Semester 1, and there were opportunities to explore other areas of music education, such as composing.
During the 6th grade concert, each instrument section of the band performed a student composition. With the return of blended learning Semester 2, students worked very hard to bring their musicianship up to speed, having essentially lost a semester of rehearsing with others. Their performance of full band arrangements at this concert was a testament to their hard work and adaptability.
The second concert of the evening featured the 7th graders. The 7th grade band rehearses as two separate class periods, with one joint rehearsal before the concert. The 7th-grade band performed the jazz piece “Things Are Getting Better,” by Cannonball Adderly. There was no Jazz Ensemble this year due to the loss of various extracurricular opportunities, and this piece gave students an opportunity to explore the genre.
Featured were improvised jazz solos by Phoenix Severin on trombone and Emmet Fettig on saxophone. The band played a number of songs by Brain Balmages, a prolific composer in the world of band and orchestra.
Fettig said: “Students had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Mr. Balmages via Zoom session at school. He spoke to students about his path to success, with encouraging words of wisdom for young people.”
The third concert of the evening featured 8th-grade students. Along with their 6th- and 7th-grade counterparts, these 8th-grade performers overcame many challenges this year in order to present a traditional-format band concert. The band on stage is actually two different class periods during school; they had only one rehearsal to join together for the concert.
Haffelder said: “Another challenge the ever-changing learning formats presented this year is the matter of instrumentation. For instance, any given band class may have only one student of a particular instrument in-person. Students in that situation did a remarkable job of overcoming their inhibitions and building the confidence to carry the parts by themselves. In the end, it made them and the group stronger.”
The 8th-grade band performed the jazz piece “Things Are Getting Better,” by Cannonball Adderly.
Similar to the 7th grade, there was no Jazz Ensemble this year due to the loss of various extracurricular opportunities, and this piece gave students an opportunity to explore the genre. Featured were improvised jazz solos by Zach Cleppe (saxophone), Eli Scheuerell (clarinet) and Trevor-Myren-Celkis (drums).
According to Fettig: “The 8th-grade band performed a ‘Mystery Song™’ in this concert. Students were handed the music at the concert; It was music they had never seen before. They took about one minute to preview the music and discuss a few items. They then performed it for the audience. This was a demonstration of their ability to ‘sight read’ music, and was a nice culmination of their work throughout middle school.”
A decline in cases and implementation of performer mitigation measures has led to this opportunity to perform live for an audience. Students who are using instruments powered by air, such as trumpet, saxophone, or trombone, wear a special mask that has a split in the front to allow for a mouthpiece to be played easily. The bell, or end from which the sound (and air) comes out, is covered by some sort of barrier to prevent the spread of germs. For students who share physical instruments, such as maracas or drums, the instruments are cleaned between users, Fettig continued.
A virtual option is still available for those who would prefer to tune in from home, which also allowed those students to participate in the concert virtually. Between all three concerts, over 280 friends and family of students were able to attend. The usual capacity of the FAHS theater tops 600. With distancing guidelines in place, the maximum capacity is reduced to approximately one-third of the original capacity. Virtually speaking, all three concerts had a combined viewership of over 283.
FAHS Theater Managing Director John Collins has worked with district staff and other health experts to develop a safety plan for events occurring in the theater. The plan includes usual measures such as face coverings and hand sanitizer. It also includes some unique approaches which are beginning to appear in the entertainment and live-event industry.
A QR Code is available at the door of each event in which a paper program would usually be handed out. By allowing patrons to scan the QR code, they can pull up an electronic copy of the would-be paper handout, reducing touchpoints. In addition, between each group of patrons in the theater, the seating section, and other high-touch surfaces are disinfected.
The video of this concert is available on Youtube at the following link: CLICK HERE
For more information about Fort Atkinson Performing Arts, please contact boxoffice@fortschools.org or follow us on Facebook!
Fort Atkinson Middle School Eighth Grade Band performs its closing song. Band Director Sam Fettig, far right, can be seen conducting the group, while Band Director Andrea Haffelder, far left, supports the group by playing along.
A wide-angle shot from the technical booth shows a stage of middle school performers and a physically-distanced audience listening to the music.
Supplied photos.
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