OLM Bands Receive Two “Excellent” Rating at Music in the Parks Competition at Six Flags Amusement Park; 8th Grader Jacob Rademacher Wins Outstanding Soloist Award
On Friday, May 11 the OLM Jazz and Senior Bands traveled to Agawam, MA for ”Music in the Parks” and for the first time in the history of OLM participating in this competition, both bands received a rating of “excellent” from the judges. In addition, Eighth Grader Jacob Rademacher of Warwick received an Outstanding Soloist Award for his performance on the trumpet with the jazz band. The 16-member OLM Senior Band performed Marching to Pretoria and Ghost Riders in the Sky and the 11 jazz band members played Poco Loco and Brazil. Judges for the competition, members of the music faculty at Harvard and North Carolina, based their assessment on several musical goals, including intonation, rhythm, overall balance, difficulty, and dynamics. After their performances, which took place at Westfield South Middle School, the bands then spent the day at Six Flags Amusement Park and attended the “Music in the Parks” awards ceremony at the conclusion of the day.
The OLM Band, under the direction of Greg Takemoto and Jack Rametta, wraps up its season on Thursday, May 24 with two concerts 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 will perform. In addition to the OLM bands, which begin in grade 4, OLM students as young as Pre-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 and beyond.
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.
