OLM Bands Receives “Excellent” Rating at Music in the Parks Competition at Six Flags Amusement Park
On Friday, May 27, the OLM Junior and Senior Bands combined to compete in the “Music in the Parks” competition in Agawam, MA. Both bands, under the direction of Greg Takemoto and Jack Rametta, traveled to Six Flags Amusement park and performed their selections at the competition at the nearby Westfield South Middle School in Westfield, MA. The combined band, which performed Trumpet Voluntary and As the Eagle Flies, received a rating of “excellent” from the judges, Mark Olson, Director of Bands at Harvard University, and Steven Karidoyanes, Conductor of the New England Conservatory Youth Symphony, who based their assessment on several musical goals, including intonation, rhythm, overall balance, difficulty, and dynamics.
The OLM Band wrapped up its season on Wednesday, May 25 with a concert on the OLM stage, one in the morning for the students and faculty and one in the evening for families and friends. Students in the beginner, junior, senior and jazz bands performed selections under the direction of Greg Takemoto and Jack Rametta. In addition to the OLM bands, which begin in grade 4, OLM students as young as kindergarten have the opportunity to participate in after-school music enrichment opportunities including piano and violin lessons. Many OLM graduates go on to play music in their high school bands, with several continuing in college.
With a tradition of excellence in Catholic elementary and middle school education since 1951, Our Lady of Mercy School offers its students an opportunity to pursue excellence in academics, athletics and the arts on their journey as young saints and scholars. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Pre-K through Grade 8, co-educational Catholic school located in East Greenwich provides a nurturing, values-driven environment built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church.
