Keystone Central Students Awarded Musical Excellence at Hershey’s Music in the Parks Festival
By Autumn Gavlock
HERSHEY – On Saturday, May 3, 2025, student musicians from the Keystone Central School District proudly represented their schools and community at the Music in the Parks Festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This national event brought together talented performers from across the country, with Keystone Central making an inspiring impression as 17 students from Bucktail High School’s Concert Band joined 30 students from Central Mountain High School, including members of the Wildcat Marching Band and the CM Jazz Cats, for a memorable celebration of music education.
Music in the Parks, founded in 1981 by Dr. James Wells, is a nationally recognized festival series that emphasizes musical growth, achievement, and recognition. Ensembles perform in acoustically sound venues such as schools, churches, and colleges, not within the amusement park itself, before panels of professional adjudicators. Each performance concludes with a celebratory awards ceremony honoring the commitment and talent of every participating group. The festival’s mission is to provide a platform where student musicians can learn, grow, and be recognized for their dedication to excellence in performance.
Central Mountain’s Jazz Cats impressed adjudicators with two exciting selections—Boogie Lou by Paul Baker and The Pink Panther Mambo by Henry Mancini, arranged by Greg Nielsen. Their performance earned them a Superior rating, first place in their division, and first place overall. The Wildcat Marching Band also delivered a powerful performance of Armed Forces on Parade while marching a short parade, earning an Excellent rating and first place in their division. These outstanding achievements are a testament to the students’ dedication, talent, and the high standard of music education at Central Mountain.
Meanwhile, the Bucktail Concert Band, under the direction of Mr. Brandon Kahley, performed a warm-up of Imperium by Michael Sweeney, followed by The Friendly Beasts by Gene Milford and Infernal Galop by Jacques Offenbach, arranged by Evan VanDoren. Their performance earned an Excellent rating and fourth place overall.
This marked Bucktail’s first time competing in the Music in the Parks Festival in over 20 years, a milestone moment for the program. In addition to their musical achievements, Bucktail was honored with the prestigious Esprit de Corps Award, given to the ensemble that best exemplifies professionalism, spirit, and support throughout the event. These Bucktail students served as a shining example of excellence within the Keystone Central School District, with accomplishments that reflect the deep pride their school and community hold for them.
For many students, this event was more than just a competition; it was a chance to bond, reflect, and grow. “This competition was a great experience for us all,” said Kedda Bissman, a junior at Bucktail High School. “Even though this is the last year for the big group of seniors, I’m excited to see where the band goes from here. I want to thank Mr. Kahley for pushing the band to the best of our ability and taking us to this competition. I also want to thank the seniors for the time we’ve had together; I can’t believe the year is almost over.”
Both schools traveled together and supported each other throughout the day, promoting a collaborative and encouraging atmosphere. “It’s always fun to have joint adventures between our two schools,” said Ashley Crust, Central Mountain Band Director and Music Educator. “The Bucks and Wildcats have built friendships over the last several years, and it’s great to see them support each other.”
Participation in events like Music in the Parks demonstrates the lasting value of school music programs. Not only do they promote artistic excellence, but they also instill discipline, confidence, and community spirit in students. Each ensemble followed festival requirements that included a 25-minute warm-up, followed by a 25-minute performance window consisting of setup, an optional warm-up, and two adjudicated selections. The structure of the event allowed for focused preparation and meaningful feedback from musical experts and educators.
As the final notes faded and instruments were packed away, the students turned their attention to the rides of Hershey Park, celebrating a day well spent. But beyond the trophies and ratings, the true success of the day was evident in the confidence, teamwork, and joy shining from every young musician. Music in the Parks gave these students an opportunity to grow as performers and as people.
Music education plays a vital role in shaping well-rounded students, offering opportunities for creativity, discipline, teamwork, and personal expression that extend far beyond the concert stage. Programs like band and jazz ensemble help students develop critical thinking skills, emotional resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Events such as Music in the Parks not only celebrate musical excellence but also reinforce the value of arts education within our schools. The achievements of the Bucktail and Central Mountain students are powerful reminders of why continued support for music programs is essential; they don’t just create musicians, they build confident, capable young leaders.
If you’re interested in learning more about how you can support music education in your area or get involved with your local band or music program, consider reaching out to your school’s Band Director or a Band Booster Club member. 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.
