Junior High Band Performing for Major League Audience Tonight
Kittanning Junior High Musicians (L-R) Jocelyn Buhite, Alexia Jack, Michaela Ban and Calista Dosch will be four of the students who perform the National Anthem at PNC Park tonight before the Pittsburgh Pirates play the Minnesota Twins.
By Jonathan Weaver
The Kittanning Junior High School Band has not only been practicing the past month for their final concert, but also their PNC Park debut.
Tonight, under the direction of Band Director Denise Gamble, more than 60 students will perform the National Anthem at the Pittsburgh Pirates home game.
“It all started a long time ago when I directed the choir – I knew that groups go to the ballpark to sing and play the National Anthem,” Gamble said. “I hadn’t taken the chorus for a couple of years, so this year, I thought maybe I’d try it with the band.
“I contacted some of the people down there, and they said ‘Definitely – here’s some dates. Tell me what you can do.’”
Gamble – who said baseball is her passion and often dreamt of leading a band on the ballpark grass – said students sold more than 300 tickets to family members and supporters to attend tonight’s game versus the Minnesota Twins. She will also attend many summer baseball games after school is out.
“I kind-of get to fulfill a dream of my own,” Gamble said.
Students – who also get to watch the game with their families - were notified about the game before Christmas break, but did not get their current arrangement until a month ago. They began their spring concert with the National Anthem as well for extra practice.
“We learn our Star Spangled Banner because it’s our National Anthem – I feel, as a musician, that’s a very important thing for them to learn. That we get to perform that in another community-type setting should be an exciting and musical evening, Gamble said.
“For eighth-graders, it could be once-in-a-lifetime.”
Drum Majors (and eighth graders) Jocelyn Buhite and Calista Dosch are looking forward to the performance tonight.
Buhite said she has never been on the ballfield to perform. Her family and friends will watch from the stands.
“I think it will be an amazing experience,” Buhite said.
Michaela Ban leads more than a dozen trumpet musicians and beat out Drum Major Alexander McAuley to be section leader.
She also is looking forward to tonight– even though she might become a little nervous - with some of her guests being her grandparents from Pittsburgh.
“It’ll be good experience – now I can actually see how (other musicians) feel,” Ban said.
Gamble thought students will be able to overcome their nerves.
“I think with any performance comes a certain amount of nerves, but you turn around and turn that nervousness into good energy,” Gamble said.
Tenor Saxophonist and Section Leader Alexia Jack designed the band’s grey uniform shirts – which have a Wildcat logo and the phrase, “The Last Song” in honor of the school’s upcoming closure.
All four female musicians are baseball fans and will also perform with the Armstrong Senior High Band next year.
Gamble – who is also slated to teach junior high musicians at Armstrong Junior-Senior High – hopes to continue taking musicians during the next few years.
Armstrong School District | jweaver May 20, 2015
By Iteach, May 21, 2015 @ 9:55 PM
In light of all the politics on this blog this is a refreshing headline… aka … Armstrong County Shows The Region What We Can Do… Nice job KJHS and Ms. Gamble. Musicians and artists are great people and our communities need you.