If you walk by S.S. Seward this month, you might expect it to be quiet with students home for the summer. Instead, your ears would be pleasantly surprised by the sounds of “I’m a Believer” or “Crazy Train” coming from the band room.
The tunes are compliments of the middle school and high school summer band, working hard to prepare for their concert, which will be held at S.S. Seward on Aug. 1 at 9 a.m.
This is the third year the band has practiced and performed in the summer, replacing the select band during the school year. The summer band has grown considerably from 11 students in the first year to 27 this year.
“Every kid that is here really wants to be here,” shared band teacher William Couture. “I’ve noticed the improvement in the regular school year since we started this program.” He shared that he hopes the students continue to play after graduating from Seward.
“I really love playing the flute, so just to be here and to have the opportunity to do more over the summer is really great,” said incoming eighth grader Anna Andrade. Her favorite song for the concert is “Themes from Jupiter.”
“I was excited that I was invited to join the group,” shared Christopher Arcidiacono. He has enjoyed working on new warm ups each morning and going through each song during camp. An incoming sixth grader, Arcidiacono feels this experience has helped him prepare to transition to Seward this fall.
Incoming senior Kaylee Krawcyk shared that repetition is the key to success. “Some of the songs start off really calm and then they get pretty crazy. Once you nail the part and then add in the other instruments, it’s just incredible,” she shared.
Krawcyk added, “It’s not just the instruments, it’s also the people. I’ve met some of my best friends in band. I look forward to seeing them and playing every class, not just during the school year, but during the summer, too.” She looks forward to her final senior concerts and hopes to continue playing in college.
10th grader Ava Andrade is a member of the high school summer band and is also giving back by acting as the student assistant for middle school summer band. She is enjoying mentoring the newer clarinet players, giving them tips on playing the high notes and other challenges in the music.
“I feel like we’re one big family,” she said. She encourages elementary students to stick with their instruments. “It’s so worth it. When you play something that used to be really hard and you succeed, it feels so great.”
