Nearly 300 Utica Community Schools secondary band students came together for a first-of-its-kind musical event.
The students were part of a first of its kind "Brass Day" on April 11 designed to excite student musicians and enhance their performance skills with five professors from Central Michigan University.
The impact of a large gathering of music students was something that was not lost on the CMU professors.
“It’s unbelievable to have all of these students in one place,” said CMU music professor Dr. Neil Mueller. “The district is unique from this standpoint and shows the importance of music education.”
The event took shape after all four UCS high school jazz bands performed at the CMU Jazz Weekend in early February.
UHS band director Brett Bays discussed the opportunity with Dr. Mueller, who volunteered four other colleagues to both perform for and teach the student musicians.
The workshop, held April 11 at Henry Ford II High School, was open for students in grades 7-12 who play Trumpet, French Horn, Trombones, Euphonium, and Tuba.
Jeannette 8th grader Shayla Svacha said the experience provided her practical training about her chosen instrument, the French Horn.
“This was really fun, but I didn’t know how low you can go on a French Horn,” she said. “That was really surprising to me.”
Stevenson sophomore Isabella Clark, a trumpet player who plans to continue performing in college, also took away some practical advice at the workshop.
“I learned that as a trumpet player I should not keep my pinky in the hook,” she said. “This was a great experience, and I really enjoyed the first songs that we played.”
The CMU professors said they normally travel to four communities each year to work with high school students. Typically, the professors work at individual schools, not at a districtwide gathering of students.
“You have incredible music teachers here,” said trumpet Professor Robbie Smith, the director of jazz studies at CMU. “The kids get a great music education, and they are extremely talented, well behaved, and humble.”
Dr. Mueller added: “I think you have a really dedicated teachers that developed a great tradition and such a strong music program. When you have this many students you can just tell. Their musical skills are amazing.”
The professors participating were Dr. Mueller, Professor Smith, Dr. Bruce Bonnell, French Horn; Dr. Cole Bartels, Trombone; and Dr. Mark Cox, Euphonium/Tuba.
UCS secondary music teachers are: Brad Arnold - Eisenhower HS; Brett Bays - Utica HS/Eppler JHS; Scott Condne - Davis JHS; Matt Schoenherr - Henry Ford II HS/Bemis JHS; Shannon Sheldrick – UAIS; Jacob Steinberger - Malow JHS; Joe Syler - Shelby JHS; Bridgette Tepper - Jeannette JHS and Mike Yaros – Stevenson HS.
