Band Notes

Last month we celebrated the BHS and JFH Band achievements and activities, so this month we will focus on our vocalists.  Thanks to Choral Directors Jenny Woofter (JFH) and Anna Goodwyn (BHS) for their work with the amazing Choir programs at BHS and JFH.   JFHMS Choir students participated in our annual RCPS All-County Choir event on October 12, all enjoyed their first experience attending an all-day choir festival culminating in a concert. The BHS students also began the year with the combined All-County event, where they really enjoyed singing with the Middle Schoolers and getting to see friends from other High Schools.  

 As the leaves changed and fell, Choir members of all ages enjoyed a Vertical Event that brought together students from the High School, Middle School and Elementary Schools. The relaxed and welcoming atmosphere allowed the opportunity for students to really get to know the other kids there!  JFH held auditions for “Rock of Ages youth edition” in October, and rehearsals are well underway for their performances March 8-10.   BHS also began their Musical process early this year.  The BHS kids are really excited about the big dance numbers and the fun props in their production of the classic TV favorite, “The Addams Family”,  February 15-18, 2024.

The holiday season was as busy as ever!  On November 29, JFH Choirs had a blast singing with the high school choir members at the Broadway Town Tree Lighting, along with the BHS/JFH Bands performance. The JFHMS Choir presented their winter concert  to the community on December 6th, with a program of music chosen completely by the students which featured both new music and holiday classics, from “Run, Rudolph, Run” to a vocal arrangement of the theme from “Elf,” to “Silent Night” performed with its original German text.  BHS performed their Winter Concert on December 14th. It was truly a very special bonding moment this year between the students and their teacher.

The students rallied together and sounded amazing, singing all Acapella pieces except for one piece where the Mixed Chorale accompanied the Concert Choir on the handbells.  (side note from Cathy Brown–A favorite moment of this concert for me, was watching the joy of Ms. Goodwyn, as she celebrated with her students after nailing a particularly tough piece of music!)  In the final days before Winter Break, JFH Choirs continued one of the choir students’ favorite annual traditions and caroled around the school. 

JFH has 5 students who auditioned and were accepted for District Choir. They will be attending the District V Middle School Choir event on Tuesday, February 27th, at Skyline Middle School in Harrisonburg, and will be performing in a concert that evening at 5:30pm, which is free and open to the public.

Damian Camacho, 7th grade – Soprano; Jadyn Gray, 7th grade – Soprano; Adalee Frantz, 7th grade – Alto; Maddy Parker, 7th grade – Alto;  Addison Whetzel, 7th grade – Alto    

BHS was able to get 17 students into the District Chorus which was held at Waynesboro HS on January 19-20.  This is something they are incredibly proud of, congratulations to our BHS Choir members!

BROADWAY HS MUSICAL

In the opening number of The Addams Family musical, the company sings that “it’s family first, and family last, and family by and by.” This is the message at the heart of the show, and in the work that our cast, crew, pit, and adult staff have put into making the show at Broadway High School a success. When directors Amy Tewalt, Jaimie McGovern, and Anna Goodwyn decided on the show this year, that was a huge factor in their decision. The fine arts in high schools are about helping students not only hone their artistic abilities, but also, about understanding collaboration, teamwork, and overcoming obstacles together.

When asked what it means to be an Addams, senior Malcolm Emswiler (Gomez) said, “To be an Addams is to love fiercely, passionately, and to be devoted to not just family but the world around us, in the hopes of making it a better place.” From auditions in October to opening night, the Broadway High School student performers have shown love, support, and encouragement of each other, and have truly created a family.

Everyone knows the iconic Addams Family, but the musical shows them in a new light. Precocious Wednesday Addams isn’t a child anymore, she is growing up and has found love…with someone completely different from her family. Both Wednesday and her fiance Lucas ask their families to be normal when they meet each other, but what exactly is normal? From February 15-18th, witness the magic, chaos, and hijinks come alive on the Broadway High School stage.

The show stars seniors Malcolm Emswiler as Gomez, Jackie Diaz as Alice Beineke, Maggie Roberts as Grandma, junior Ryan Sprague as Lucas Beineke, sophomores Avery Tewalt as Wednesday, Lyla Anderson as Morticia, Molly-Kate Adkins as Pugsley, Zachary Trost as Mal Beineke, and freshman Seb Harper as Uncle Fester, and Isaac Puffenbarger as Lurch. The show would not be complete without the stunning ensemble cast of ancestors, who must bring Wednesday and Lucas to the altar before they can go back to their eternal rest.