Band
Hempfield is home to the Hempfield Area Spartan Marching Band. The band has between 180 and 300 members yearly. It has performed in Texas, Florida, Colorado, California, New York, Washington DC, Virginia, Kentucky, and many other places. The band has received invitations to perform in Australia, France, England, and China; the band was invited to perform in China for the 2008 Olympics and well as Rome to perform for the Pope in his New Year's parade. The HAHS Marching Band also marched in the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade with director Dr. Roderick T. Booker, who retired in 2006.The band was also honored greatly when they were chosen as the featured band for the 2003 Burbank on Parade. In particular, Flutist Clayton Nichols was honored with the Golden Flute for his rendition "My Heart Must Go On." Dr. Booker was also honored by being chosen as the grand marshal of this event in Burbank, California. The band was once again honored when they were selected as the official band in the Orange Blossom Parade in Riverside California. Dr. Booker was a teacher for 35 years in the Hempfield Area School District, and he served as the director of high school bands for 29 years.
Since 2006, the band has been under the direction of Brian A. Tychinski. He is assisted by assistant directors Michael Matteo and Nancy Flinner, majorette instructor Shana Murphy, and colorguard instructor Amanda Montell.
Hempfield is also the home of the Hempfield High School Jazz Band. This group has performed in Kentucky, California, and all over Pennsylvania. The Hempfield Jazz Band also had the special opportunity to play for President Bill Clinton during his visit to Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Read more about this topic: Hempfield Area High School
Famous quotes containing the word band:
“What passes for identity in America is a series of myths about one’s heroic ancestors. It’s astounding to me, for example, that so many people really seem to believe that the country was founded by a band of heroes who wanted to be free. That happens not to be true. What happened was that some people left Europe because they couldn’t stay there any longer and had to go someplace else to make it. They were hungry, they were poor, they were convicts.”
—James Baldwin (1924–1987)
“Firm, united, let us be,
Rallying round our Liberty;
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.”
—Joseph Hopkinson (1770–1842)
“The band waked me with a serenade. How they improve! A fine band and what a life in a regiment! Their music is better than food and clothing to give spirit to the men.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)