For music educators...why Lions Band?
Why would I as a music educator, band director, or parent consider the Pennsylvania All-State Lions Band a good thing? In the years I have been associated with the Lions Band I have been impressed with the overall quality of the performers from all over the state. The band includes members from district, regional, and all-state bands sponsored by PMEA. The band sight reads exceptionally well and thus reads many more selections than the average high school band. The band performs quality literature conducted by highly qualified conductors with many years of experience. Three members of the All-State Lions band committee are retired music educators with over 100 years of combined teaching experience. Our musical director is Dr. Russell McCutcheon, Director of Bands in the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College. The entire committee conducts and works with the young people, exploring many types of music.
The band performs at the State Lions Convention each year and travels to the International Lions Convention when possible. Performance opportunities have included playing the national anthem for professional baseball teams, Veteran’s Hospitals (exemplifying the Lions motto “We Serve”), and outdoor programs at amusement parks. We have large audiences from all over the world listen to our programs.
When we travel to the International Convention the band performs in parade, concert, and jazz band. We learn our musical program in three days of intense rehearsal at Gettysburg College. We stay at the college until we depart for the convention sites. In the past we have performed in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Hawaii, Denver, Minneapolis, and Atlanta. Our performances are great but we also schedule time for recreational activities at the amusement parks or take in a Broadway production.
Our funding is mostly from the state Lions members of Pennsylvania. Our state convention is NO cost to our members and includes hotels and meals! We even help with supplying charter buses from the east and central part of the state when needed. For the International Conventions we have help from the state Lions but have to charge a fee as the trips are extremely expensive. Everything is included in our price except spending money. Our group travels with chaperones and a nurse at all times. We stay in quality motels four to a room and use Embassy Suites, Holiday Inns, or similar places. Our transportation and meals are included with meals at restaurants including Cracker Barrel, Applebees, Buca de Beppos, and nice buffets.
Hopefully, we have given you a strong motivation to want your student included in the Pennsylvania Lions All-State Band! We are always open to comments and discussion. We want our group to have many great performances and memories.
The band performs at the State Lions Convention each year and travels to the International Lions Convention when possible. Performance opportunities have included playing the national anthem for professional baseball teams, Veteran’s Hospitals (exemplifying the Lions motto “We Serve”), and outdoor programs at amusement parks. We have large audiences from all over the world listen to our programs.
When we travel to the International Convention the band performs in parade, concert, and jazz band. We learn our musical program in three days of intense rehearsal at Gettysburg College. We stay at the college until we depart for the convention sites. In the past we have performed in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Hawaii, Denver, Minneapolis, and Atlanta. Our performances are great but we also schedule time for recreational activities at the amusement parks or take in a Broadway production.
Our funding is mostly from the state Lions members of Pennsylvania. Our state convention is NO cost to our members and includes hotels and meals! We even help with supplying charter buses from the east and central part of the state when needed. For the International Conventions we have help from the state Lions but have to charge a fee as the trips are extremely expensive. Everything is included in our price except spending money. Our group travels with chaperones and a nurse at all times. We stay in quality motels four to a room and use Embassy Suites, Holiday Inns, or similar places. Our transportation and meals are included with meals at restaurants including Cracker Barrel, Applebees, Buca de Beppos, and nice buffets.
Hopefully, we have given you a strong motivation to want your student included in the Pennsylvania Lions All-State Band! We are always open to comments and discussion. We want our group to have many great performances and memories.
