Schools

Dallas Brass Jazzes Port Washington

The band provides music clinics and performs with local students.

It was at a state music conference that staffers from the music department, along with the district’s Creative Arts Director Sheri Suzzan, first heard Dallas Brass perform. The Port Washington educators agreed: they had to find a way to get this band to work with their students, Schreiber's Concert Band Director Mark Brenner told parents and students.

Thanks to a grant from the Port Washington Education Foundation, the educators’ vision became a reality on Wednesday. That’s when Dallas Brass spent a one-day residency in Port Washington working with the district’s entire instrumental music program, for students in grades 4-12. The program featured an evening performance, with students in grades 8-12 paticipating during the second half of the show.

The event was a big hit with the students, if thunderous applause, standing ovations, singing and hordes of kids asking for post-show autographs were indicators.

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In a performance called “American Musical Journey,” Dallas Brass performed everything from John Phillip Sousa to Benny Goodman and even Maroon 5.

Prior to the show, Port students and school staff joined Dallas Brass for dinner at the Schreiber cafeteria, complete with beverages and homemade desserts donated by families of the young musicians. Parent volunteers were on hand to help with set-up and serving.

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“We’re so impressed with Port Washington,” said Michael Levine, Dallas Brass’ musical director and trombonist. “We travel all around the country. And from what we’ve experienced, this is the model community for arts education in the United States.”

In addition to support from the PWEF and the district’s Creative Arts Department, the program was also made available through contributions from the district's Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and building principals.


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