Post on 30-Jun-2018
The Leesville Road High SchoolSymphonic BandRaleigh, North Carolina
North Carolina Music Educators Association In-Service Conference
Benton Convention Center
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Tuesday, 14 November 2017 11 a.m.
The Leesville Road High SchoolSymphonic Band
Raleigh, North Carolina
Alyssa M. Montgomery, Conductor
North Carolina Music Educators Association In-Service Conference
Benton Convention Center
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Tuesday, 14 November 2017 11 a.m.
About The Leesville Road High School Bands
The Leesville Road High School Band Program is known as one of the finest high school bands in the state of North Carolina. Founded by David Saleeba Albert in 1993, the tradition
of excellence has continued under the direction of Leesville High School Band Alumnus
Alyssa M. Montgomery. The program has grown to over 200 students and includes the
Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Ninth Grade Band, Marching Band, Colorguard, Jazz Band,
Pep Band, and various other small ensembles.
Unlike most high school bands, Leesville’s Symphonic Band (top wind ensemble) and
Marching Band are the same group of students. Members of the band switch gears to fill out the drumline, front ensemble, and colorguard during marching season. Every member
of the Marching Band is a top player on their concert band instrument - including the
colorguard! The LRHS Bands and Ensembles consistently receive superior ratings and first place awards in numerous marching band contests and have received superior ratings at
the Central District Bandmasters Association’s Music Performance Adjudication in Grades
IV, V, VI and Masterworks. The bands have traveled all over the nation receiving countless
first place awards and superior ratings in San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, Williamsburg, and more in addition to a performance at the 55th Midwest Clinic
International Band and Orchestra Conference. This fall will be the third appearance of the Leesville Road High School Symphonic Band at the North Carolina Music Educators
Association Conference in Winston-Salem.
Many Leesville Band members are selected each year to participate in the North Carolina
Central District All-District Band, North Carolina All-State Honors Band, Central-Region
Jazz Band, North Carolina All-State Jazz Band, UNCG Honors Band, NC Governor’s
School and more. Several Band alumni are working on or have completed music degrees in
colleges and universities in addition to performing in university and military bands across
the United States.
The Symphonic Band is Leesville Road High School’s premier band with students ranging from freshman to seniors. The Symphonic Band has received Superior Ratings at the NCBA State Contest in Grade VI as well as attended numerous national festivals.
FLUTESRachel McIrvine
Elise Newhouse
Daryn Wilkerson
Emily Guettler
Lauren Tidwell
Melanie Altenkirch
Erin Schuttler
Sophie Cho
Colette Pappas
Olivia Gardner Hannah Tilley
Megan Bryenton
Emilia Anderson
OBOESMegan Vezzetti
Roxann Brna
BASSOONSElliott Gyll
Emeline Wilson
CLARINETSSarah Gress
Julie Miles
Samantha Waller
Anya Wilson
Rhiannon Williams
Lauren Marcellino
Miranda Darwin
Barbara Hinkey
Margaret Haney
Meagan Oliveira Kayla Crossley
BASS CLARINETSDrew Guettler
Emerald McNeil
Connor Kells
Caroline Lipson
ALTO SAXOPHONESZach Marcellino
Brett Rothman
Kyla Kurosawa
Nikita Varma
Aaron Carino
Caroline Snell
TENOR SAXOPHONESDaniel Boodee
Alexander
Romero-Chavez
BARITONE SAXOPHONEAndrew Davis
CORNETSJohn Preston
Caroline Konrad
Jake Moody
Gabriel Behler
Alexa Warkentin
Harry Shrager
Matthew Farber
Luke Lisowe
Ben Barkley
TRUMPETSReis Rothman
Mary Petersen
Devin Clark
Matthew Dillard
HORNSAlex Troutman
Eileen Lavery
Alexis Gracey
Sophie Bowles
Kesenia Dewell
TROMBONESScott Davis
Sam Gray
Alexander
Boltinhouse
Joel Warsing
James Odametey Kenneth Schechter
Lydia Snell
EUPHONIUMSKevin Batz
Samuel Adeyemo
Tommy D’Bella
Max Moody
BASSESDavid Johnson
Avery Greene
Kenny Poole
Alexander Horsky
PERCUSSIONPhillip Brown
Jiovanni
Ortiz-Anglero Wesley Pretsch
James Tidwell
Tyler D’Agostino
Shane De Leon
Alec Carawan
Andrew Woody
Jack Dezzutto
The Leesville Road High School Symphonic Band 2017-2018
PROGRAM
The Star Spangled Banner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Stafford Smith
Zachary Marcellino, Student Conductor
Arranged for Band by the United States Navy School of Music, Little Creek, Virginia (1949). John Stafford
Smith, the son of an organist, was born in Gloucester in 1750. He became an organist, choir director, tenor,
and finally a composer. He is remembered most for his music To Anacreon in Heav’n which became the music
for our The Star Spangled Banner.
It was after the bombardment of Fort McHenry that Francis Scott Key wrote the immortal words of The Star Spangled Banner. The verses were immediately printed on “Broadsides” (handbills) and distributed in
Baltimore. It was Key’s brother-in-law, Judge Nicholson, who suggested that the words be sung to To Anacreon in Heav’n. Within days, an actor, Ferdinand Durang, began to sing it from the stage.
It was not until 1931 when the Veterans of Foreign Wars collected 50,000,000 signatures requesting that
Francis Scott Key’s The Star Spangled Banner be our national anthem, that Congress passed a bill designating
The Star Spangled Banner as our National Anthem. President Herbert Hoover signed the bill on 3 March 1931.
Eternal Father, Strong to Save. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Claude T. Smith
The powerful piece Eternal Father, Strong To Save is based on the missionary hymn of the same name
composed in 1860 by William Whiting. It is rich in harmony, dynamics, and thematic interplay and
was adopted as the official hymn of the U.S. Navy. It has become the signature hymn of presidents, seamen, and naval officers and is often used at funerals for dignitaries. This stirring setting by the prolific composer Claude T. Smith features uplifting and brilliant fanfares and a set of variations based on thematic material extracted from the hymn tune. As the work nears closure, the entire melody is
finally revealed first by a noble horn choir and then repeated richly by the full ensemble. Claude Smith’s background is in horn, so it is only fitting that the melody be revealed by this instrument. The work was written in 1974 and was dedicated to the U S Navy Band Conductor, N E Muffley and premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Be Thou My Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Gillingham
While growing up in Wisconsin, David R. Gillingham was trained as a pianist and church organist. His experience
made him extremely familiar with hymn tunes and the power of text, as illustrated in Be Thou My Vision:
Be thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Although commonly known as Be Thou My Vision, the hymn tune itself is of Irish origin and originally
entitled Slane. Having found inspiration in the Irish roots, Gillingham composed an original second
theme in the spirit of an Irish ballad. The work opens with a medieval-like flavor of reverence leading to the first presentation of Slane in chant-like somberness by the euphonium. Following this, the newly
composed Irish ballad is sung by the flute which leads to a dramatic statement of Be Thou My Vision by the
full ensemble. The work is interrupted by a prayerful interlude. This leads into the marriage of the two
Irish tunes which grows to a glorious climax and then subsides. A heavenly benediction closes the work.
Gillingham’s Be Thou My Vision conveys an uplifting message of hope that inspires all listeners.
Ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Todd Stalter
Cara Vernon, Guest Conductor, Director of Bands at Leesville Road Middle School
Ignition is a blindingly fast, raucously energetic concert opener that derives its title from the consecutive
rising three-note cells that are the building blocks for almost the entire work. The energy unleashed
in the music and the imagery of the title serve both as a metaphor for the “spark” of creativity and as
a “celebration in sound” for those who follow their own true life’s passion and pass it along to others,
“igniting” the flame for another generation.
British Eighth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Zo Elliot
Born in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1891, Alonzo “Zo” Elliott began composition at age 14. Among
his teachers were Leonard Bernstein and Nadia Boulanger. British Eighth was dedicated to Gen. Bernard
Montgomery and the Eighth Army after a triumphant sweep across North Africa in 1942. Following the
victory at El Alamein in Northern Africa, Montgomery was promoted to field marshal, and soon he became the idol of the British public. Since the war, Zo Elliott’s impressive march has retained its popularity on
both sides of the Atlantic.
Stille Nacht . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Franz Gruber
David S. Albert, Guest Conductor, Director Emeritus at Leesville Road High School
The music for Stille Nacht (Silent Night) was composed by Franz Gruber. The original poem was written by
a Catholic priest, Joseph Mohr, who showed the stanzas to Gruber. This beautiful piece has had only subtle
changes in the melody since its origin in 1818 and it is highly revered throughout the world. As one of the
many Leesville Band’s traditions, this arrangement written for “Mannheim Steamroller” of Stille Nacht has
been played at every winter concert since the formation of the LRHS Band in 1993. In the early years of the
Leesville Arts Department, the band and chorus performed this piece together. Even though both programs
eventually became too large for the collaboration, the Leesville audiences will not leave until they hear this
beautiful classic.
Symphony No. 3, Movement 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vittorio Giannini
While Vittorio Giannini was greatly inspired by operas, Symphony No. 3 was quite different. About the
piece, he writes, “I can give no other reason for choosing to write a Symphony to fulfill this commission than that I ‘felt like it,’ and the thought of doing it interested me a great deal.” As the fourth and final movement of the symphony, “Allegro Con Brio” is in the form of a sonata, consisting of three main
distinguishable parts. Symphony No. 3 was composed for the Duke University Band and its conductor,
Paul Bryan, in 1958.
e
Alyssa M. Montgomery
Alyssa Marie Montgomery
grew up in the Raleigh area
and is an alumnus of the
Leesville Band Program.
While a student of David
Saleeba Albert at Leesville
Road High School, she played
Oboe and English Horn in the Symphonic Band. She was
also the second drum major
in Leesville High School Band
history to serve as a two year
Drum Major.
Ms. Montgomery graduated Summa Cum Laude from Appalachian State University with two
Bachelor’s degrees - one in Music Education and the other in Piano Performance. While at Appalachian
State, Ms. Montgomery was recognized as a Chancellor’s Scholar (Full-Ride Scholarship), Academic
Scholar, Harbinson Family Music Scholar, a member of Pi Kappa Lambda (The Music Honors Society),
and an Honors Student. Ms. Montgomery performed in the Appalachian Wind Ensemble, Symphony
Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, ASU Marching Mountaineers and other chamber ensembles. She also led the Marching Mountaineers as a Drum Major for two years.
Prior to her appointment at Leesville High School, Ms. Montgomery was the Director of Bands at
Wendell Middle School where the concert bands and WMS Jazz Band performed for many in and out
of state concerts and festivals - receiving multiple superior ratings. There, she was nominated for the
Diane Kent Parker 1st Year Teacher of the Year.
In May 2013, Ms. Montgomery was named the Conductor for the Leesville High School Band
Program. She feels it is truly an honor to conduct the Leesville Band Program where she once sat as
a student. As its Conductor and Director of Bands, Ms. Montgomery has led the bands to consistent
Superior ratings at North Carolina’s Music Performance Adjudication. The bands have performed
nationwide including San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Orlando along with invitations for the band to perform with area college wind ensembles and professional groups. The
Leesville High School Bands have been featured in the
News and Observer, 919 Magazine, and on UNCTV. In 2017, she
was named an “Ed Rooker” Encore Award winner by the NC
Chapter of the ASBDA, which is given to top band directors in
the field with under 7 years of experience. Under her direction, the Symphonic Band has been invited to perform for the
President’s Cup National High School Band Invitational in 2018.
She is a frequent adjudicator, guest speaker, and guest clinician.
Ms. Montgomery is a member of the National Association
for Music Education, the North Carolina Music Educators
Association - where she serves on the board as the Advocacy
Chair, and the North Carolina Bandmasters Association.
David Saleeba Albert
David Saleeba Albert started his musical career in Elizabeth City, North
Carolina under the direction of Scott C. Callaway playing Trombone,
Flute, Bassoon and Percussion in the School Band. He attended Berklee
College of Music in Boston Mass during which time he was also a studio
drummer. He finished his Music Education Degree at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC and became the Conductor of the Band
Program in Elizabeth City after Mr. Callaway retired. Ten years later, he
moved to Raleigh, NC, where he was selected to start the Band Program
and Chair the Arts Department of Leesville Road High School.
Bands under Mr. Albert’s baton have performed at numerous State Conventions and performed in many
major cities in the U.S including the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Illinois.
Mr. Albert is an Endorsing Artist/Clinician for Ludwig/Musser, a division of Conn-Selmer. In
addition, he often guest conducts Honor Bands, presents seminars in Student Leadership, and
adjudicates festival events.
In June of 2017, Mr. Albert was bestowed the honor of “Director Emeritus” of the Leesville Road High
School Band.
Mr. Albert is married to the former Margaret Cowan has two sons, Joseph Taylor and Christopher
David and, one step-son, John Christian.
Cara Vernon
Cara Vernon is in her fourteenth year of teaching and has been
the band director at Leesville Road Middle School since 2015.
Mrs. Vernon received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music
Education from East Carolina University in 2002. During
her time at ECU, she was a recipient of the Friends of the
School of Music Scholarship, an active officer in Sigma Alpha Iota, served as Drum Major for the Marching Pirates, and
performed in the Wind Ensemble under Dr. Scott Carter.
Bands under her direction have received superior ratings and awards at the state and national level. Some
of these honors include consecutive UIL Sweepstakes Awards, Best in Class at Texas Showcase of Bands
Festivals, and superior ratings at concert and sight-reading festivals in Texas, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Mrs. Vernon’s professional memberships include the National Association for Music Educators, the
North Carolina Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmaster’s Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota.
She is currently serving as the All-County Clinic Chair for Wake County and is the Middle School
Member-at-Large for the Central District Band Directors Association.
Mrs. Vernon considers herself privileged to have had many inspirational mentors, colleagues and musical
experiences. She credits her success to the dedication of her students, the support from the Leesville
Community, and the love from her husband, Jamie, her daughters, Mia and Addison, and her pugs, Maddie
and Cooper.
2017-2018 Leesville Road High School Symphonic Band Officers
Captain Capt. Rachel McIrvine Senior
Business Manager Lt. PO John Preston Senior Drum Major Lt. PO Emily Guettler SeniorStudent Director & Librarian Lt. PO Zachary Marcellino SeniorColorguard Captain Lt. PO Eileen Lavery SeniorDrumline Captain Lt. PO Phillip Brown SeniorPublicity Manager Lt. Emilia Anderson Senior
Personnel Officers Lt. PO Kevin Batz (Bus 1) Senior Lt. PO Lydia Snell (Bus 1) Senior Lt. PO Daniel Boodee (Bus 2) Senior Lt. PO Meagan Oliviera (Bus 2) Senior
Equipment Manager & Crew Lt. PO Andrew Woody (Manager) Senior S/Sgt. Connor Kells Junior
S/Sgt. James Odametey Junior S/Sgt. Andrew Davis Junior
S/Sgt. Alexander Boltinhouse Junior
S/Sgt. Luke Lisowe Junior
S/Sgt. Sam Gray Junior
S/Sgt. Matthew Farber Junior
S/Sgt. Kenny Poole Junior
S/Sgt. Jake Moody Junior
S/Sgt. Samuel Adeyemo Junior
S/Sgt. Scott Davis Junior
S/Sgt. David Johnson Junior
S/Sgt. Alexander Horsky Junior
S/Sgt. Jiovanni Ortiz-Angero Junior S/Sgt. Alec Carawan Junior
S/Sgt. Jack Dezzuto Junior
Clerks Lt. PO Emeline Wilson (Chief) Senior Lt. Lauren Tidwell Senior
Lt. Emilia Anderson Senior
Lt. Roxann Brna Senior
Lt. Hannah Tilley Senior
Directors of New Personnel Lt. PO Meagan Oliviera Senior Lt. PO Wesley Pretsch Senior
Uniform Managers Lt. Julie Miles Senior
Lt. Alexis Gracey Senior
Front Ensemble Manager S/Sgt. Emerald McNeil Junior
Director of Woodwind Ensembles Lt. PO Emeline Wilson SeniorDirector of Brass Ensembles Lt Reis Rothman Senior
Director of Percussion Ensembles Lt. PO Wesley Pretsch SeniorDirector of Jazz Ensembles S/Sgt. Scott Davis Junior
Journalist Lt. Roxann Brna Senior
Tech & Special Projects Director Lt. Ben Barkley Senior
Graduate File Secretary Lt. Aaron Carino Senior
Scrapbook Secretary Lt. Lauren Tidwell Senior
Corresponding Secretary Lt. Hannah Tilley Senior
Leesville Road High School Bands Club Committee ChairsScrip Cards: Vicky Kells
Grocery Cards: Susan Davis
Venue Fundraising Coordinator: Jim Guettler
College Football Game Coordinator: Jim Guettler
Fruit Sales: Karen and Jose OrtizPoinsettia Sales: Stephanie Marcellino
Luminary Sales Fundraiser: Laura and John Hutchison
Magazine Sales Fundraiser: Mia Batz
BBQ Fundraiser : Patti Kiel
Out–to-Eat Nights: Karen GardnerAutobell Fundraiser: Mary Warsing
Hospitality Symphonic Band:
Beth Warkentin and Lori Zagiba
Hospitality Concert Band:
Melinda Griengl-Schott and Michelle Cash
Performance-Symphonic: Deborah Niehaus and Beth Welch
Performance-9th Grade: Beth Welch
Member Services: Michelle Moody
Chaperones: Monica Wilkerson
Pit Crew: Chris Tilley
Transportation: Pat Davis
Webmaster: Dan Waller
Photographer Symphonic Band: Rob Clark
Videographer Symphonic Band: Dan Waller
Videographer Concert / 9th Grade Band: Don Aldridge
Acknowledgements
Leesville Road High School Administration and Arts Staff:
Principal: Anthony J. Muttillo
Assistant Principals: Kathryn Fehling, Maria Mills, Aja Moody, Molly Moore,
Matthew Price
Arts Faculty: Shannon Carr, Tonya Dickens, Katherine Meeks, Robert Patterson,
Mark Stiles, Katrina Tarson, Jeannine Wrayno
LRHS Symphonic Band Students: Thank-you for going above and beyond this fall in
preparing for this performance. You inspire me every day. It is truly a joy and an honor to be your teacher.
LRHS Bands Club and Parents: Your children are an absolute privilege to teach. Their efforts and accomplishments are made possible by your support and
encouragement. None of us would be here without you.
Christine Schuttler: Thank-you so much for your help with this awesome program!
Rob Clark and Lori Campoli: Thank-you for the fantastic pictures for the program!
My Friends and Colleagues: Thank-you so much for your advice and help along the
way through this process! Thank-you for teaching me and helping my students be the
best they can be!
My Parents and Family: Your unconditional love and support through all the ups and downs is unparalleled. I love you so much.
Leesville Road High School Bands Club Board MembersPresident: Mia Batz
VP Fund Raising: Laura Hutchison
VP 9th Grade Band: Marilyn Haney
VP Concert Band: Melinda Griengl-Schott
VP Symphonic Band: Terri McIrvine
Treasurer: John Haney
Secretary: Heather Clark
Student Accounts Manager: Dawn D’Bella