Spring-Ford band is going Hollywood

LIMERICK — Despite being miles apart on different coasts, the Spring-Ford Area School District has developed quite a relationship with Hollywood.

Recently, 1978 graduate Chuck Sheetz received a Creative Arts Emmy Award for his directing efforts on an episode of "The Simpsons."

At last spring's graduation, actress and Ram alumna Lisa Waltz Morocco returned to give a speech to newly minted graduates.

And later this month the Golden Ram Marching Band will head to sunny California to participate in the Hollywood Santa Parade.

The championship marching band was selected to be one of 10 high school marching bands from across the country to perform in the annual Hollywood Santa Parade, which marches straight through the heart of Hollywood the Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 30).

In order to be selected for this parade, the Golden Rams had to submit a portfolio that included a band resume, photos of individual instrumental sections and the entire band, as well as audio and video recordings of band performances, according to the district.

The band submitted its portfolio in February and was notified in April of its selection. Director John Eckstine was happy to share the news with his students.

"It was a very special honor to have been chosen, as over 130 audition recordings were submitted for evaluation from performing ensembles throughout the state of Pennsylvania," he said.

"Being selected for performances like these throughout the year means students get additional performance and competition experience that helps them in the fall. In addition, these honors only add to our resume and help us in the selection process."

The Spring-Ford marching band has developed a winning pedigree.

For the last two years, the Golden Rams have been named the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Group IV State and Regional Champions. In addition to marching band honors, Spring-Ford High School student musicians are routinely selected to perform at prestigious events such as the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association annual in-service convention.

Last year, three band students were selected to perform at this conference as members of the all-state band and wind ensemble, and in April 2009, the high school's Symphonic Wind Ensemble will be performing there.

Eckstine is hoping that the awards and honors will make the band a viable candidate to one day play in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, which has already been booked through 2009.

So far this year, the Rams have already placed first in the Lancaster Catholic Tournament of Bands, Boyertown High School Cavalcade of Bands and 45th Pageantry of Sound Tournament of Bands competitions.

The band's show this year is Japanese-themed and features an original composition by West Chester University professor Dr. Andrew Yozviak.

At the Hollywood Santa Parade, the Golden Rams will be playing a march and a Christmas-related song. The band's 100 members will leave on Thanksgiving Day to travel to Hollywood. The parade will air locally on the Travel Channel. Students will return to Royersford on Tuesday, Dec. 2, the district said.


Source: phoenixvillenews.com