NEWSLETTER PORT ALLEGANY MUSIC DEPARTMENT

September 2021

IN THIS ISSUE

Alumni of the Month Back to School Photos

Faculty Spotlight Marching Band Students of the Month

Marching Band Going Strong

The marching band started their season with a performance at the

McKean County Fair Parade on Monday, August 16 and performed

at Kennywood Park’s Fall Fantasy Parade on Friday, August 20. The

band had their first halftime performance on Saturday, August 28

when Port Allegany played Otto-Eldred. The band is performing a

Latin halftime show which includes Malagueña, Oye Como Va, and

Land of Make Believe. We are grateful to have assistance from Ms.

Sarah Lindsay, Mr. J.T. Madison, Ms. Akane Hanson, and Mr. Cole

Ramsey. The bands next performance is at home on Friday,

September 3 when Port Allegany plays Keystone.

Pictures from the Kennywood Park Fall Fantasy Parade on August 20th.

ATTENTION PARENTS & GUARDIANS! The Port Allegany Music Boosters are always looking for new ideas and faces at their monthly meeting – the first Wednesday of each month. Upcoming meetings: September 1 October 6 Meetings are held in a music room at PAHS at 7 PM Email: tishhoward34@gmail.com

Back to School Photos!

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Junior High Band Student of the Month

Madison Fillhart Daughter of Chris and Justin Fillhart Music Ensembles: chorus, band, marching band Other Activities: sports(softball, JH track, JH soccer, JH basketball), student council

Junior High Choir Student of the Month

Alayna Palmer Daughter of Ben and Danette Palmer Music Ensembles: Chorus, Band, Marching Band Other Activities: Soccer

Senior High Band Student of the Month

Chloe Cramer Daughter of Heather Nance and Jordan Cramer Music Ensembles: Chorus, Band, Chamber Singers, Marching Band, Jazz Band, iU9 Band, Musicals, PMEA Chorus Other Activities: Soccer and Fall Play

Senior High Choir Student of the Month Shane Lawton

Son of Matthew & Danielle Lawton Music Ensembles: Chorus, Concert band, chamber singers, jazz band, marching band Other Activities: Soccer

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Pre K – Grade 1 Student of the Month

Ella Kallenborn 1st Grade Daughter of Jim & Leslie Kallenborn Other activities: Soccer, Machine Pitch Softball Favorite music activity: Closet Key Game

Grades 2-4 Student of the Month

Allison Kohler 3rd Grade Daughter of Dave & Emma Kohler Other activities: softball & quarter midget racing Favorite music activity: Playing the xylophone

Grades 5-6 Student of the Month

Aiden Stuckey 6th Grade Son of Amber Stuckey & Gavin Rupert Other activities: Soccer, baseball, basketball, wrestling, rangers Favorite music activity: Play the boomwackers

Elementary Band Student of the Month

Molly Barber 6th Grade Daughter of Jeff & Kristie Barber Music activities: Chorus, Ensemble, and Band Other activities: Girl Scouts, Basketball, Softball & Soccer

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Faculty Spotlight Ms. Akane Hanson I teach Music and Chorus at the elementary school. This is my third year teaching for the Port Allegany School District. I am a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and earned my bachelor's degree in Music Education. There I participated in multiple ensembles such as the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, University Chorus, and majored in trumpet. Prior to IUP, I lived overseas in Japan because my father worked as a DoDDS (Department of Defense Dependent Schools) teacher. I spent the majority of my life in Kanagawa, Japan and graduated from Zama American High School in Camp Zama, Japan. My favorite color is green and I love dogs! Mr. Cole Ramsey I am the Choral Director here at PAHS. In addition to Choir, I also teach Guitar, piano, and theory, as well as help with the drumline. As extracurriculars, I direct the spring Musical, the Chamber Singers, and the Jazz choir. I am a 2019 graduate of Mansfield University and a 2015 graduate of Tussey Mountain High School in Saxton, PA. I am an extremely passionate lover of music, and spend most of my free time engaging with it in some way. Whenever I am NOT playing or listening to music, you will find me outside hiking or fishing. Although music can find its way into my outdoor life as well! Mr. Brad Stewart I am the band director for the Port Allegany School District for students in grades 5-12. I also teach a section of two of Eighth Grade General Music each year and am assigned as a lunch monitor. Outside of school, I direct the marching band, senior high and junior high jazz band. In 2005 I graduated with a Bachelor in Music in Education degree from Westminster College (New Wilmington, PA) and in 2010 earned a Master of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, IL). On my free time I enjoy attending auctions and baking and cooking for friends and family.

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MUSIC ALUMNI OF THE MONTH

Brian Williams

What ensembles were you involved with in high school? Marching Band, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Choir, Showchoir, Music Theater Accompaniment What have you done since graduating from high school?

Attended the Berklee College of Music and received a Bachelor of Music in Professional Music/Music Performance

o Selected to represent Berklee in their first study abroad program at the Philippos Nakas in Athens Greece for the Spring semester in 2006

Currently living in Toronto Canada with my wife and daughter

What have you done in music since graduating from high school? Are you still involved in music?

Private drum instructor: Private instruction for interested drummers age 7 to age 40 Drumline instructor: instructed percussion sections in marching bands in the summers

between college semesters, Port Allegany HS, Eldred HS, St. Mary’s HS, Kane Area HS Cruise Ship Musician, drummer: Princess Cruise Lines. Played with entertainers from all

over the world and traveled to throughout the Caribbean, Maritime Canada and Mediterranean including Greece, Italy, Turkey and Croatia

Touring drummer with Matt Davenport Productions: Multiple tours playing production shows across the US

Currently playing drums for two different churches and involved in a Jazz Trio in the Greater Toronto Area

Do you have a favorite story about a Music Department that can be shared with everyone? I remember being in 7th grade and carrying the marching bass drum down Main St. USA in Disney World with the Port High Marching Band and remember it being a very proud moment. I also loved the music trips and the chance to perform in different venues to different audiences that included adjudicators and other performing groups.

How has being involved with music helped you in your life after high school? Music was central to my life before, during and after high school. The continuation of my musical studies led to very exciting opportunities that allowed me to travel and perform extensively internationally and domestically. Living with and working professionally in culturally diverse environments has been critical to my development as a working professional both in and out of a musical context What else would you like to share about yourself? I’m very grateful to my parents for being so supportive of my musical interests. This includes allocating a section of the basement to practice drums and have band practices for approx 12-15 years.

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