West Seattle has a lot to celebrate. The Chief Sealth Marching Band and Denny's Marching Band just returned from Disneyland. They also received a large award of instruments.Top photo is Denny Marching Band making their entrance into Toon Town for march to Town Square. Middle photo is Sealth Marching Band on march from Town Square to Toon Town. Bottom photo is Sealth Jazz Band II performing at the Carnation Garden Plaza Stage in Disneyland.
Press release:
Denny Middle School and Chief Sealth High School have been selected by The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation to receive a donation of musical instruments. It is our understanding that both schools will share a music room and single inventory of instruments next year when Denny Middle School moves to Chief Sealth High School's campus. Therefore, the following instruments will be donated and shipped to Chief Sealth High School with the intention that both schools will have access to using them:
1 bass trombone
2 mellophones
1 sousaphone
1 bari saxohone
2 marching baritones
1 oboe
1 bassoon
1 marimba
The total retail value of this donation is $42,000. An official award letter as well as a grant agreement will be mailed to your attention at Chief Sealth High School shortly.
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
mhopus.org
Keeping Music Alive in Our Schools
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From Marcus Pimpleton:
Congratulations are in order for the students of the Chief Sealth
International High School Concert- Marching Band and Sealth Jazz II as
well as the Denny International Middle School Marching Band, Jazz Band,
and Orchestra who traveled to Anaheim California this weekend to
participate in the Disney Magic Music Days and Music in the Parks
Festivals.
At the Saturday Music in the Parks competition the Sealth Concert Band
earned a rating of Superior, the highest rating possible and the 1st
place trophy in the high school band AA division. The band had perfect
scores in rhythm and technique and a near perfect score in tone quality.
One judge commented, "Fine reputation of school and community." The
Denny String Orchestra, Denny Marching Band, and Denny jazz ensembles
earning ratings of Excellent as well as the 1st place trophies in their
respective divisions.
On Sunday morning, the Denny Orchestra participated in a Soundtrack
recording session at the Disney Magic Music Days sound studio in which
they recorded music to Disney animation. Still later day the Denny
marching band kicked off the afternoon Disney Main St. Parade with a
pre-parade march through the park followed by the Sealth being similarly
honored as the featured band for kicking off the evening Main Street
Parade.
Finally, on Monday morning the Denny Jazz Ensemble and Sealth High
School Jazz Ensemble #2 gave back to back concerts in the park at the
Disney Carnation Plaza Gardens Stage, which has the distinction of being
the longest-running big band stage in the world, and has hosted
performances from Cab Calloway, Bob Crosby, Jimmy Dorsey, Artie Shaw,
Lionel Hampton, Les Brown, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Harry
James, Eartha Kitt, and Benny Goodman.
All in all 150 students from the two schools participated in 8
performances in a four day weekend. The students earned four first
place awards and made memories that will last them the rest of their
lives. Thank you to the many people who contributed money and
instruments to the Denny and Sealth Bands this school year and the many
parents who volunteered their time as tailors, chaperones, food servers,
nurses, security, and movers over the last four days. The support of the
parents and community has been tremendous and is greatly appreciated.
Marcus J. Pimpleton
Director, Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band www.allcityband.org
Music Director, Denny International Middle School www.dennymusic.org
Director of Concert and Athletic Bands, Chief Sealth International High
School www.chiefsealthmusic.org
Director of Athletic Bands, Seattle University www.goseattleu.edu