Capitol performance an ‘honor’ for Shen. Valley band
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The Shenandoah Valley Concert Band performs in the east wing of the state capitol in Harrisburg on March 21, 2023.
HARRISBURG, Dauphin County – The Shenandoah Valley High School concert band typically performs a concert in the spring, but this year, they had a different stage.
While the Blue Devil musicians will still perform their annual concert later this spring at the high school, they spent much of Tuesday at the state capitol.
“It’s an honor for our school to be represented here,” John Shoener, band director, said after Tuesday’s performance in the east wing. “Amongst all the schools in the state that have music programs, for ours to be selected is truly an honor, and we can’t wait to do it again.”
As Shoener directed, two of Schuylkill County’s state representatives, Dane Watro and Tim Twardzik, watched over his shoulder, as did Superintendent Brian Waite.
“I enjoy supporting our band and chorus and they did an excellent job,” Waite told the Sentinel afterward. “I couldn’t be more proud of our students and what they did, and our director, John Shoener, for all the time and dedication he gives to our students.”
“Our students really knocked it out of the park today,” Shoener added.
The performance was part of the Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association’s celebration of Music In Our Schools Month.
Nearly every day in March, the PMEA invited music programs from across the Commonwealth to perform at the capitol. Generally, bands performed in the east wing, and choruses in the Rotunda.
As Shenandoah performed in the east wing, DuBois Area Middle School’s choir performed in the rotunda. DuBois is in Clearfield County in western Pennsylvania.
Shenandoah is not the first local school to perform this month. On March 6, the Cellar Dwellarzz jazz ensemble from Hazleton Area performed in the east wing, followed by North Schuylkill’s concert band on March 9. The Spartan band is conducted by John Shoener’s brother, Jacob.
Schuylkill Haven Middle School’s choir performed last Thursday, as well.
Other programs include Altoona, Beaver Area, Moon Area, Southern Lehigh, and Oley Valley.
Tuesday’s performance was Shenandoah’s first as part of Music In Our Schools Month.
Additionally, while the band was at the capitol, Senator David Argall invited them to an informal question-and-answer session to learn about the state legislature.
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