Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Dunk A Drummer

submitted by Jennifer Hawkins, photos by Jennifer Hawkins

The Middletown High School Music Department presents the first Vendor and Crafts Fair on Saturday August 27 and with it comes the rare opportunity to drop a teacher - or one of this year's five Drum Majors - into a dunking tank.

The first MHS Band booster festival takes place this Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the high school parking lot. Plan for a full day of family fun with carnival games, a moon bounce, spin art, and a special appearance from the Hartford Whalers Mascot. Dozens of vendors and crafters will be participating with great food, crafts, sports and art.

The High School Music Department, under the direction of Marco Gaylord, has boasted a marching band comprised of nearly two hundred students, a jazz band, wind ensemble, chorus, a strings program and concert band. Each year the students have a challenging array of programs and activities including Middletown High School Goes to the Bushnell and the biannual trip to showcase at Disneyland in Orlando or compete in Virginia Beach. The rigorous music programs offered have become shining examples of what can be achieved in the arts in public education as well as being a transformative experience for the student participants. Through events like the festival, the Band Booster volunteers raise money to help keep the music programs vital and growing.

MHS teacher Mr. McKeever will be the first of his peers to risk the dunking chair and others may follow. Drum Major Anthony Kipphut has said he is willing to represent his fellow drum majors with a turn above the tank as well. The 2011- 2012 drum majors, Mike Cho, Francis Moua, Andrew Satterberg, Reba Stanley and Anthony Kupphut, will be joined by other band members who will help run specialty booths including a bottle drive drop-off site for all those willing to bring their returnable cans and bottles to the fair. Other young musicians will be running a car wash at the side of the festival site.

The Middletown High School Jazz Band will perform, Stage Left Dance will be showcasing and there will be chances to enter the raffles for gift bags and more.

Attending vendors include Tastefully Simple, Lyric Hill Farm, Gourmet Cupboard, DeLovelies Bakery, Whey Station, Quilters Haven, Stained Glass Creations, Grand Slam Sports, Madison Handbags, Creative Memories, Custom Hoops by Beth, Celebrating Homes and Dan Kline Wire Sculpture and nearly forty more.

The Vendor and Craft Fair will be held outside the Middletown High School at 200 LaRosa Lane in Middletown from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 27. For more vendor lists and other details, visit FOOD FUN FESTIVITIES! MHS Band Vendor & Craft Fair on Facebook HERE



Senior and Drum Major Reba Stanley has taken the "who me?" approach to the dunk tank. Here she is with Senior and Drum Major Mike Cho.


MHS Seniors and Drum Majors Andrew Satterberg and Francis Moua weigh their options.



MHS Senior and Drum Major Anthony Kipphut is the first to volunteer for Saturday's dunk tank.




The 2011- 2012 Drum Majors, left to right: Andrew Satterberg, Anthony Kipphut, Mike Cho, Reba Stanley and Francis Moua.

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