Stage Band Heading to Jamaica for Service Trip
For the past six years, the Archmere Academy Stage Band, led by band director and music teacher, Mr. Damian Demnicki '86, has traveled to Jamaica with donated instruments in tow to help build the music program for local school children. This month, they will travel to Westmoreland Parrish in southwest Jamaica and perform a Band Clinic at Belmont Academy. Seven years ago, the Archmere Band started donating instruments to Belmont because they did not have an instrumental music program at the school nor did they have any funding for it. The instruments that Archmere has provided make up the entire instrumental music department at Belmont.
In the 2-3 day band clinic, the stage band generally teaches between 20-60 Belmont students. Our students break into small sections and go over the basics of their chosen instrument. They teach all instruments to any and all students who show up for the clinic. Many of our students teach multiple instruments and sometimes learn a new instrument for the trip. At the end of the clinic, there is a combined performance of the music and songs that were taught at Belmont.
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In the 2-3 day band clinic, the stage band generally teaches between 20-60 Belmont students. Our students break into small sections and go over the basics of their chosen instrument. They teach all instruments to any and all students who show up for the clinic. Many of our students teach multiple instruments and sometimes learn a new instrument for the trip. At the end of the clinic, there is a combined performance of the music and songs that were taught at Belmont.
Mr. Demnicki states of the trip, "Because Archmere has maintained this relationship for 6 years, we have had the opportunity to see some of the same students return again and again. Belmont students who we started as 6th graders are now winning some competitions in Kingston. It is very exciting to see the progress that takes place each year. Additionally, our reputation has grown over the years. We were asked to start a second clinic at a school in Kingston who heard about our success at Belmont. At present, we have not been able to find a time to make this second school happen, but we hope to in the future."
The trip will take place November 21-26.
The trip will take place November 21-26.
Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory co-educational academy,
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
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