Mood:
a-ok14TH Annual Summer Festival a Success!!!
The Friend’s of the Visual and Performing Arts’ 14th annual Summer Music and Art Festival, held on Sunday August 9th, was a huge success! Family members as well as many folks from the community came out to enjoy the "final product" of weeks of rehearsals and classes, and our participants didn’t disappoint.
Our emcees, Sundial Express, got us off to a great start! The audience was treated to a variety of music from Durey Creek Band as well as Annie and the Hedonists. Then it was time for our new group, the "Your Songs" Ensemble to show their stuff. This ensemble was quite the challenge, as each player was asked to play their own unique part. This was a new experience for many of the participants, as most had only played in a Concert Band setting. Elizabeth Galeazza brought this idea to FOVAPA, and we were happy she did. Participants were able to choose whatever song they wanted to play, from Rock-n-roll to Country, and Ms. Galeazza transposed it to fit this group. Some song selections included, "Gotta Be Somebody" by Nickelback, "Summertime", "Let Them Be Little", and "Magic Carpet Ride" by Steppenwolf. These participants really stepped up to the challenge, and put on a great show!!
Several hands on art workshops also took place throughout the day, including "Collage Tiles" and "Found Object Wind Chimes" with Mary Francis Millet, "Stuffed Monsters" with Jennet Jones-Rau, and many others.
On display throughout the day was art work created by our "Paper Making From the Inside Out" participants. Tiffany Smith did a great job teaching students not only basic paper making, but also various mold making techniques and methods for covering forms with handmade paper.
After encore performances by Durey Creek and Annie and the Hedonists, it was time for the Summer Concert Band to wrap up our event. Andy LaCoppola did an excellent job this year as Concert Band Director. Participants in the Concert Band ranged in age from 6th grade through adults. You can imagine the difficulties that could arise with having such a diverse group, all with different experience and ability levels. These participants worked very hard, and gave quite a performance. They started us out with "Star Spangled Banner", and other pieces included Music from "West Side Story", "You’re a Grand Old Flag", and "Selections from The Rolling Stones".
We’d like to give a big "thank you" to all of the parents and volunteers who helped make this festival possible. Also, thank you to the program and workshop directors & instructors.
Thank you to Durey Creek Band as well as Annie and the Hedonists for their wonderful performances, and to Sundial Express for their acoustic folk music and fun humor.
Thank you to the following businesses/organizations for grants and donations: Target, Montgomery County Youth Bureau, Stewart’s Holiday Match, Children’s Aid Association, C.T.W. Foundation, Golub Foundation, NBT Bank, Arkell Foundation, and the Fonda Fair.
The Friends of the Visual and Performing Arts are always looking for new members and volunteers. Please visit our website at www.fovapa.org for membership information, program updates, and meeting dates. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s festival, Sunday August 1st 2010!!
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