The Belt and Beyond | February 11th, 2016

February 11, 2016
17
RAGTIME SPOTLIGHT
In this week's Ragtime Spotlight, we get to know BAHS's
Pit Orchestra Director, Mr. Eric Hahn.
(SW) How long have you been conducting?
(EH) I began my teaching/conducting career in 2010 at Bald
Eagle Area High School. I have been working in Bangor for
six years. However, according to my family and friends, I
have been conducting since I was old enough to stand. I
have heard stories and seen photos of myself at West Park
Mr. Eric Hahn
in Allentown conducting along with the Allentown Band from the audience.
(SW) What do you find to be the most challenging part of putting your
pit orchestra together?
(EH) The most challenging part is always making sure the sound our audience
hears is the best representation of what we can do. We need to make sure our
sound is balanced as it exits the pit, and that it balances with the volume of the
cast. The sound inside the pit is always vastly different from the sound out in
the seats.
(SW) How have your rehearsals been going?
(EH) Rehearsals have been absolutely fantastic since day one. The students
have consistently come prepared and work quickly to make everything sound
great. We have even had the honor of playing along with members of the cast
on two occasions already. Typically this does not happen until much later in the
rehearsal process.
(SW) Which piece of music from Ragtime has been the most
challenging?
(EH) The most challenging piece of music from Ragtime from the conductor's
stand point would be either the sequence from Lawrence, Mass. or the Justice
segment near the end of Act I. There are some odd and changing meters in
these sections. From the point of view of the players, The Gettin' Ready Rag and
Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, Inc. are the most technically challenging. Much of the
difficult piano work has been handled very well by our local expert, Todd Deen.
(SW) Which piece has been your favorite?
(EH) My favorite piece from the show is The Wheels of a Dream.
(SW) Which show has been your favorite to conduct?
(EH) Ragtime!
(SW) What are you most looking forward to in reference to this year's
production of Ragtime?
(EH) This show deals with some of the most prevalent and divisive topics that
plague our society today. The story shows us the evils of social injustice and
racial inequality in a way that makes us look inward to see how our thoughts,
words, and deeds either parallel or diverge from those of the characters on
stage. After seeing this show for the first time more than 15 years ago, I found
myself taking a much harder look at my own philosophies and the way I treated
others, and I hope others will do the same. What I am most looking forward to is
how the students, parents, and community members who work on this show or
see it performed will grow because of having heard the story.
New in the Bangor Public Library
Adult Fiction:
Bohjalian, Chris: The guest room; Fluke, Joanne: Double fudge brownie murder;
Jackson, Lisa: After she’s gone; Kava, Alex: Breaking creed; Silent creed; Kubica,
Mary: Pretty baby; Neggers, Carla: Secrets of the lost summer; Punke, Michael:
The revenant; Rosenfelt, David: Blackout; Steel, Danielle: Precious gifts; Woods,
Stuart: Scandalous behavior.
Adult Non Fiction:
De Botton, Alain: The pleasures and sorrows of work.
Young Adult Fiction:
Carlson, Melody: Dark blue; Fools gold; Walker, Gabrielle: The Tale of the Final
Hero.
Audio Books Fiction:
Hawkins, Paula: The girl on the train.
Audio Books Non Fiction:
Goldberg, Whoopi: If someone says “ You complete me”, Run!
DVDs:
Descendants; The Martian.
Four Bangor Students Successfully Audition
for 2016 Pennsylvania Music Educators
Association Region V Band
Bangor Area High School had FOUR students successfully audition for the
2016 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Region V Band.
Auditions were conducted at the recent District 7 (South-Central PA) and
District 10 (Northeast PA) band festivals. The band will consist of 145 of the
top high school musicians from 15 counties. The counties represented are
Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, York,
Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, and Schuylkill.
The four who auditioned at the PMEA District 10 Band festival and were
selected are Contra-alto Clarinet: Corinthia Banks, Tenor Saxophone: Daniel
Schirripa, Baritone Saxophone: Rose Tillson, and Bass: Shannon Would.
These students will be traveling to Central York High School in York, PA
to participate in the festival March 10 through March 12, 2016. The guest
conductor will be Professor Dennis Glocke from The Pennsylvania State
University.
(L to R) Shannon Would, Daniel Schirripa, Rose Tillson, Corinthia Banks
Sonia in My Eyes
by Brian Potopowitz
I see her shape approaching as if through a misty dream,
Light begins to brighten on the contour she retains.
Ample length of flowing hair to frame a pleasant face,
Curvature of shoulder falling toward the slight of wrist.
Horizontal line of blouse and stitch of skirt on silhouette,
Fascinating to behold yet having vastly more contained.
Wisdom shapes the way she views this complicated world,
It forms a stable shelter for unbendable decisions.
Conscious effort to create environments of challenge,
Items she foregoes to improve the growth of her children.
Integrity of sound defense for friends who are away,
Sincere tears of sadness with acquaintances who grieve.
Appreciation in a card or thank you with a cheerful word,
Knowing when to answer yes or rather fitting to decline.
The sacrifice of Greece for the stark unrest of India,
One simple cup of water for the least of all of these.
Honest words of spoken truth with tenderness of heart,
Silent on her knees to hear that still and quiet whisper.
Abundant love she has within and freely gives away,
Those acts of gentle grace make her altogether lovely.