A Day to Remember: Music, Memories, and Young Talent at District 4 Sixth Grade Band Fest

By Autumn Gavlock

MILL HALL– On Friday, April 25, the Central Mountain High School Auditorium was alive with the powerful sounds of sixth-grade student musicians during the 2025 PMEA District 4 Sixth Grade Band Fest. The event was a tremendous success and will surely remain a lasting memory for these young musicians and their families.

Pulling off an all-day festival of this magnitude with over 100 participating students takes significant dedication, coordination, and collaboration. The success of this event is due in large part to the efforts of many committed individuals.

First, credit goes to this year’s festival host, the respected Ashley Crust, music educator and director at Central Mountain High School. Thanks are also due to the PMEA District 4 Board Officers:

• Jordan Canner, President

• Jenni Lazauskas, President-Elect

• Darris DeRemer, Immediate Past President

• Brad Eargle, Secretary

• Lawrence Putorek, Treasurer

• Samantha Gates, Festival Coordinator

Most notably, this year’s guest conductor was the esteemed Mr. John Kovalchik, associate instructor of low brass at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. A veteran conductor and passionate advocate for music education, Mr. Kovalchik spent 40 years teaching instrumental music in the State College Area School District and provided summer jazz instruction at Pennsylvania State University for three years. He has conducted music festivals across three states and is widely respected for his lifelong dedication to music and young musicians.

His many accolades include the PMEA District 4 Citation of Excellence, Phi Beta Mu Bandmaster of the Year, and being named Teacher of the Year in 2009 by State College Magazine. The students thoroughly enjoyed their time working with Mr. Kovalchik and left the festival with unforgettable memories and musical insights. 

The festival kicked off early Friday morning as participating schools from across Central and South-Central Pennsylvania gathered at Central Mountain High School for a full day of rehearsal and musical growth. Under the direction of guest conductor Mr. John Kovalchik, the young musicians spent the day not only refining their evening’s performance selections, which they had been diligently preparing for since mid-January at their home schools but also deepening their understanding of essential ensemble skills. Kovalchik worked with the students on tone production,dynamics, intonation, balance/blend, and counting helping them grow both as individual players and as a unified ensemble. Yet, he reminded them that the most valuable part of the experience wasn’t just the music, but the people and the connections they built with fellow students who share their passion, and the joy of making music together on one stage.

 

Participating Schools and Directors:

• Bald Eagle Area – Kellie Richner

• Bellefonte – Brenna Bixler

• Central Mountain – Ashley Crust

• Clearfield – Virginia Stattel

• Curwensville – Baylee Frampton

• East Juniata – Ashley Godwin

• Glendale – Lawrence Putorek

• Harmony Area – Bill Pearce

• Huntingdon Area – Emily Canner

• Juniata Valley – Tyler Roland

• McConnellsburg – Greg Strine

• Mifflin County – Samantha Gates

• Moshannon Valley – Jason Stanko

• Mount Union – Tyler Dixon

• Renovo – Brandon Kahley

• Southern Huntingdon – Tyler Clewell

• St. Francis – Jennifer Sproull

• Sugar Valley Rural Charter – Joseph Mauck

• Tuscarora – Benjamin Wilson

• Young Scholars of Central PA – Leigh Hurtz

The festival day was thoughtfully structured with two dedicated rehearsal sessions, social breaks, and meal times, allowing these young musicians to connect with peers from across the district who share their passion for music.”It was really cool getting to meet other girls that like to play the drums like me” said Aadlynn Marr- Renovo.

Following dinner, students changed into their concert attire and participated in a professional group photo—offered as a keepsake to commemorate the experience—along with a special PMEA Sixth Grade Band T-shirt provided to each participant. A brief 15-minute warm-up followed, leading into the highly anticipated evening concert.

The evening’s concert opened with welcoming remarks from Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon, who addressed an audience of community members, students, educators, and families. He expressed his pride in the young musicians gathered from across the region, highlighting the significance of their efforts. “Today is more than just a music event—it’s a celebration of the dedication, creativity, and hard work that each of you has poured into your instruments, rehearsals, and growth as musicians,” Dr. Redmon shared. He then called for a round of applause for the more than 100 sixth-grade students who filled the stage, instruments in hand, eagerly awaiting their moment to perform. With radiant smiles and stage lights gleaming off polished brass and woodwind instruments, it was hard to tell what was shining brighter—their instruments or their excitement.

Following Dr. Redmon’s remarks, Central Mountain Middle School Principal Dave Romanyshyn spoke about the critical role middle school plays in a student’s development and emphasized the importance of music at this stage, noting how it serves as a vital bridge to continued participation in high school music programs.He then welcomed PMEA District 4 President Jordan Canner to the stage for an official greeting.

Mr. Canner spoke on behalf of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), a statewide nonprofit organization with over 3,700 members dedicated to fostering the musical development of all Pennsylvanians. What began in 1933 as a small group of band directors has grown into a dynamic organization that includes music educators from preschool through the university level, along with professionals in the music industry, merchandising, and publishing. PMEA is committed to promoting and supporting high-quality music education, learning, and performance in both schools and communities. 

The concert opened with Honor March by Sandy Feldstein and Larry Clark a staple in the band repertoire and an essential piece for developing young musicians. Marches are a foundational part of band heritage, and learning to perform them helps students build important stylistic and technical skills.

Next, a spirited performance of Aggressivo by Randall D. Standridge. Centered around two rhythmic motifs, this piece offers an engaging and energetic experience from start to finish. Standridge’s use of bold percussion and touches of dissonance added excitement and intensity, creating a strong opening for the evening. In the style of his popular works such as Pandora, Afterburn, and Adrenaline Engines, Aggressivo is well-suited for young bands and gave these sixth-grade musicians a thrilling opportunity to showcase their developing skills.

Following Aggressivo, the students presented Fantasy on “Chester” by William Billings, arranged by Michael Story. First published in 1778, Chester became a popular patriotic hymn during the American Revolution, even serving as an unofficial national anthem of the era. Michael Story’s thoughtful arrangement revitalizes this historic tune with rich harmonies while keeping it well within reach for young performers. The sixth-grade musicians played with great pride and sensitivity, leaving the audience deeply moved by both their talent and their touching tribute to liberty and country.

Up next, the young performers delivered a heartfelt rendition of Chorale from Jupiter (from The Planets), composed by Gustav Holst and arranged by Paul Murtha. This beloved chorale, drawn from one of Holst’s most iconic works, features one of the most moving and noble melodies ever written. Murtha’s thoughtful arrangement makes this powerful piece accessible to beginning-level musicians through skillful scoring and careful pacing. The students rose to the challenge with confidence and musical sensitivity, capturing the uplifting spirit of the original work and offering the audience a moment of reflection and beauty.

To close out the evening’s performance and as a fitting grand finale, the ensemble presented Fidgets by Eugene Brusiloff with special Arrangements by guest director Mr. John Kovalchik, who brought his own unique flair to the piece. Musically, Fidgets is a 12-bar blues composition featuring a playful staccato walking bass line in the low winds, paired with a rhythmic, repeated-pitch pattern in the upper winds. The final chorus adds a touch of theatricality, with the band standing during the first pass and then playing it “one more time!” for a lively and spirited close.

To further elevate the performance, Mr. Kovalchik selected standout student musicians from various sections to perform short solos throughout the piece, giving them the opportunity to showcase their skill, confidence, and musical promise.

Featured soloists included:

• Flute: Tyler Skopic (Mount Union), Lily Uribe (Clearfield)

• Oboe: Leslie Williams (Clearfield)

• Clarinet: Olivia Levandoski (Bellefonte), Ella Sopic (Curwensville)

• Alto Saxophone: RJ Collingwood (St. Francis School)

• Baritone Saxophone: Airalynn Alexander (Mifflin County)

• French Horn: Audrey Shinskie (Mifflin County)

• Baritone: Abigail Snyder (Mifflin County)

• Trombone: Blake Campbell (Central Mountain), Reese Casher (Curwensville), Cole Middleton (Clearfield)

• Percussion: Gracen Hackendorn (Mifflin County)

Their performances added an extra layer of excitement to an already unforgettable finale, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.

As the final notes of Fidgets rang out and the audience rose to their feet, it was clear that this festival was more than just a performance , it was a spark. For many of these sixth-grade students, the 2025 PMEA District 4 Band Fest marked their very first time playing in a large ensemble of peers from across the region, and for some, it may well be the beginning of a lifelong journey in music. Whether they go on to join middle school bands, perform on bigger stages, or simply carry their love of music with them through life, this experience gave them a glimpse of what’s possible when hard work meets passion. The future of music in District 4 looks bright and it’s sitting right there in the second row with a trumpet, a clarinet, or a pair of drumsticks, ready for what comes next.

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can support music education in your area or get involved with your local band program, consider reaching out to your school’s Band Director or a Band Booster Club member (if available) for more information. Whether through volunteering, attending performances, or offering financial support, your involvement can make a meaningful difference. Help keep music alive in our schools. It starts with the community, and it starts with you.