Congratulations to local bands, choirs

This past weekend was the culmination of a lot of music preparation for many local high school bands and choirs. The Ohio Music Educators Association District large group contest was hosted by Van Wert High School and the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. Those bands and choirs who received overall superior ratings are now eligible to compete at state level.

Congratulations to the Van Wert High School Symphonic Band, Crestview Concert Band, and Lincolnview Concert Choir. These three ensembles received an overall superior rating, with the VWHS Band receiving a clean sweep of superior ratings from all four adjudicators. Wayne Trace High School Band and Choir also received superior ratings.

This is similar to a midterm grade for each band member. One of the critical focuses of education these days is working together as team members. I can’t think of a better way to create an educational environment where team work is more vital than in a band or choir. Each individual must do their part to make the cumulative effort a success. Months and months of preparation go into this one performance and then you all get judged and critiqued by a panel of professionals.

The value of music in our schools is so vital when approached and taught in the proper manner. Teamwork is so important because each musician has a part to play in the final product — a superior performance.  Not only do the students get graded, but the teacher plays a vital role in the final product through their performance of conducting, but especially in their preparation and teaching of the students.  Not many teachers are required to, nor have the opportunity to put their students on public display to show what they have learned. One would be amazed at the amount of progress made individually and corporately by bands and choirs from day one to the performance day.

I hope politicians and administrators realize the great value of music in our schools, when properly taught and directed. I know that preparing kids for the “real world” and eventual employment after schooling is one of the most important responsibilities our schools have. One of the world’s largest and most innovative employers, Google, looks for young people who have artistic and musical backgrounds because they are problem solvers. They have had to work as a team in many cases, and figure out how they are going to make things work.  I know this to be a fact as my daughter, a music performance major in college, is a team leader for Google.

Robert Sloan, VWHS Band director; Stacie Korte, Lincolnview Choir director; and Jason Lozer, Crestview Band director; are doing great jobs at teaching our young people a very important skill. Congratulations!  I know there are a lot of obstacles to overcome in public schools in order to accomplish what these teachers have done. I did it for six years and I know the job hasn’t gotten any easier since the 1980s. So, if you see one of these teachers, congratulate them on raising the level for our young kids.

This Saturday at the Niswonger PAC will be very special with Chloe Agnew and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. The green will be in full bloom as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It starts at 7:30 p.m. and some tickets are still available. Don’t miss this elegant evening of wonderful music and dance.  And don’t forget that Fort Wayne native Addison Agen, the recent runner-up from NBC’s “The Voice”, will be in concert at the Niswonger on Sunday, March 25. This is a promoter event, but we at the Niswonger are pleased to be a host. Tickets are available for this concert at the Niswonger Box Office.

We are ready to release the line-up for this summer’s Fountain Park Concert Series. Watch the media for this announcement. It will be filled with some crowd favorites from the past as well as many new performers I am sure you will enjoy. Contact The Van Wert County office at 419.238.1743 or email me at paulhoverman@gamil.com if your non-profit organization would like to be considered to serve food at one of the summer concerts sponsored by The Van Wert County Foundation and in cooperation with the Van Wert City Parks and Recreation.

FINÉ.