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

The Leesville Road High SchoolSymphonic Band

8410 Pride Way

Raleigh, North Carolina 27613

(919) 870-4250

www.leesvilleband.org

email: amontgomery@wcpss.net