NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
April 11, 2013 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204
Walnut High Band and Orchestra Commemorate Gettysburg Anniversary
WALNUT, CA—The Walnut High School Band and Orchestra traveled to Washington D.C. during Spring Break to join in the 150th Anniversary of Battle of Gettysburg and President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Nearly 200 Civil War events will be held this year to mark the historic event.
About 115 band and orchestra members performed under the direction of Dr. Buddy Clements and Corey Wicks during a celebration concert held at the Majestic Theater on April 6.
The Band and Orchestra performed The Blue and Gray, Gettysburg, Third Day, and Lincoln Celebration. The Orchestra played Point Lookout, Skip to my Lou, Shenandoah, and Remembering Gettysburg written by Dr. Buddy Clements.
The special concert was narrated by Walnut High Principal Jeff Jordan and Instructional Dean Reuben Jones.
The band and orchestra were invited to participate in the event by Gettysburg 150, the organization in Gettysburg, PA in charge of arranging the commemorative events, said Band Director Corey Wicks.
“It was a great honor to perform in commemoration of the monumental events that took place in Gettysburg 150 years ago. I believe that the gravity of the event really took hold of the students as we toured the battlefield at Gettysburg and saw the places that we have read about, and the excruciating details of the fighting and bloodshed that took place there. As the students performed in Gettysburg and then toured Arlington National Cemetery the next day, they were able to understand how much impact the events past years still have on us today, and are able to more appreciate the sacrifices that were made by so many,” Wicks said.
Senior drum major Katie Takahashi said playing for the Gettysburg 150th Anniversary was “definitely an unforgettable experience.”
“Before we performed we were able to tour the battle fields of Gettysburg and learn about the events that took place 150 years ago. Later that night, performing on stage in the Majestic Theater, I felt like we were actually a part of history,” she said.
While in Washington, the group visited the National Archives, as well as several of the Smithsonian museums.
They toured the U.S. Capitol, Ford’s Theater, Peterson House, Arlington National Cemetery, Iwo Jima, all of the monuments.
In Gettysburg, they also toured of the famous battlefield along with their evening performance.
Principal Jeff Jordan said that one of the biggest highlights of the trip was when he along with Instructional Dean Reuben Jones, Band Directors Buddy Clements and Corey Wicks placed a wreath on behalf of Walnut High School on the Tomb of the Unknown soldier.
“This trip was a great opportunity for our students to participate in such a historic event of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The history they experienced in Washington DC and Gettysburg was a great visual textbook and mobile classroom. On top of it all, they had fun! I commend Mr. Wicks and Dr. Clements for their leadership by providing their students a memorable experience,” Principal Jordan said.
Shown:
The Walnut High group toured numerous museums and monuments in Washington DC. Shown in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Band Director Corey Wicks conducts during a special concert commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Gettysburg.
Orchestra Director Dr. Buddy Clements conducts the Walnut High musicians during the concert on April 6.
Walnut High students, with Civil War Reenactment members, shown at the Gettysburg battlefield at Little Round Top.
Walnut High School Principal Jeff Jordan, Instructional Dean Reuben Jones, and Band Directors Corey Wicks and Dr. Buddy Clements placed a wreath on the memorial Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.