Middletown High School Music Fundraiser

The Middletown High School Music Department is hosting a benefit concert at the Middletown HighPerforming Arts Center to raise much needed funds for continuing music education in their school. This event “Help Keep Music Alive” was developed by Louise Harrison in honor of her late brother George Harrison. The concert features “Liverpool Legends” the number one Beatles tribute show in America. The “Liverpool Legends”, who were handpicked by Louise Harrison, headline their own production five nights a week in Branson, Missouri and have been voted Branson’s Best Show since 2006.

Louise Harrison and the Liverpool Legends were nominated this year for a Grammy in the spoken word category for a CD titled “Fab Fans Memories” which was narrated by Louise Harrison. This is a collection of interviews with Beatles fans across the globe telling personal stories about how the band affected their lives. The Liverpool Legends recorded all the songs for the CD.

Members of the Middletown High School band, wind ensemble, orchestra, jazz ensemble, and choir will be performing live with the “Liverpool Legends” during the concert on some songs.

“This event is both educational and a fun way for the Middletown High School Music Department to raise money for a great cause.” “My brother knew the importance of music education and the arts in our schools and how much it can help a young mind develop,” stated Harrison.

The concert is scheduled for May 5, 2012 at 7:30 P.M. The proceeds will be used to support the Middletown High School Music Department that enrolls students in the marching band, wind ensemble, concert band, orchestra, chorus, and jazz ensemble. The Middletown High School Music Department has over 350 students enrolled in the school music program.

“You never know who will be the next John, Paul, George or Ringo or in fact the next number one hit group,” stated Harrison.

Tickets for the show are on line at www.brownpaperticket.com or by calling 800-838-3006.

You may also purchase tickets at the Seasons Federal Credit Union in Middletown and Cromwell.

Photos from MHS Band Fundraiser Food, Fun Festivities

Saturday the MHS Band Booster sponsored Food, Fun & Festivities vendor and craft fair went on as scheduled, shortened by 2 hours due to the rain and impending storm.

A bounce house greeted visitors.

The photo below is an original sculpture (below) by local Dave Klein. It is a figure representing a POW and enclosed in a branch cage as to pay homage to Vietnam Veterans. Klein's daughter Julianna (above) sold original jewelry the family had made from semi precious stone and recycled materials.

Visitors had the opportunity to purchase tickets to dunk friends and teachers in a dunk tank outside.

MHS Band Fundraiser: Fun Food Festivities! Vendor & Craft Fair

Time:	Saturday, August 27 · 10:00am - 4:00pm
Location	Middletown High School 200 Larosa Lane Middletown, CT To benefit the Middletown High School Band Food, dunk tank, moon bounce, spin art, face painting, raffles, can/bottle drive, car wash, vendors and crafters!! Vendors will include Tupperware, Party Lite, Silpada, Tastefully Simple, Creative Memories, Madison Handbags, A Touch of Health (get a massage!), Rani's Henna Temporary Tattoos, Lyric Hill Farm, Jafra, Jessica's Diaper Cakes, Quilters Haven, Mary Kay, Grand Slam Sports, Perceptions Photography, Thirty One, Dan Kline Wire Scultpure, Stained Glass Creations, Usborne Books, Bella's Baubles, Stampin' Up, Coins and Gold Exchange (bring your gold and get paid!), Pampered Chef, Celebrating Homes, Juice Plus, Custom Hoops by Beth, The Whey Station (gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches), Gourmet Cupboard, DeLovelies Bakery, Willow House, Longaberger, Summer Brook Valley Farm Alpacas (bring the little ones, they're bringing LIVE alpacas!), Carly Rose Boutique Design, Paul The Ice Cream Man, Shari Lucas Photography, Vegetable Ivory & Organics, Futures/Good Cause Gifts, Paul Mitchell School, MHS Project Graduation, Middletown Reads Book Mobile, Wildtree, Karyn's Cards & Gifts, CT Whalers, Jackie Williams 3-D Origami, Chic & Sassy Magnets, LMM Design-Studio Jewelry, John Casablanca's of CT, Emerald Earth Designs, Beauti Control, Saddle DownTack & Gathering Crafts/Gifts, Gemini Hawk's Nest and more to come! In addition to all the above businesses providing raffle prizes, there are also some local businesses nice enough to donate more raffle prizes: Haiti's Back Porch, It's Only Natural, Lyman Orchards, PJ Jewelers, Puerto Vallarta, Wendy-Black Nasta, Suburban Stationers, Ace Hardware and Joe Riff's Music. A variety of local businesses and vendors are doing special online sales with portions of their profits going to the Band. Check out who is in volved on the Band's facebook page listed below. Contact the Band via the facebook page if you're a vendor who'd like to open an online fundraiser for the band and organizers will add your link to th e group's facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=1806093820 02885 Students will be exhibiting crafts for sale. An example is MHS Sophomore Jackie Williams, who will be selling her 3-D Origami creations at our vendor/craft fair! She will also be selling paper cranes and donating money to tsunami victims in Japan.

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.