County music festival highlights bands
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Ripley County's middle school and high school band members played for a large and enthusiastic audience on Thursday, March 11, at this year's Instrumental Music Festival.

Hosted by the Milan Music Department and Band Director Stefani Bedel, the Ripley County Music Festival took place in the Milan High School gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.

Guest directors were Dr. Robert Grechesky, Butler University, and Mr. Chad Welage of Lockland schools in Lockland, Ohio.

First on the program the 186 members of the combined middle school band under the direction of Mr. Chad Welage played "Paths of Glory," by Chad Strommen; "Spirit Triumphant," by Bruce Preuninger; "Train Heading West," by Timothy Broege; and "Joyous Spirit," by David Shaffer.

The 172 members of the combined high school band performed "Heroes of Flight," by Brian Lewis; "Proud Spirit," by James Swearingen; "Russian Sailor's Dream," arranged by Merle J. Isaac; and "To Forge the New Frontier," by Ralph Ford.

Dr. Grechesky directed the high school band and spoke of the value of music programs in the public schools. Both directors complimented the four participating schools' band directors for having their students so well prepared for the festival.

In addition to Bedel at Milan, the directors are Doug Norton, Batesville; Glenn Unklesbay, Jac-Cen-Del; and Eric Stauffer, South Ripley.

Continuing as sponsor of the 2004 Ripley County Music Festival, the Ripley County Community Foundation, Inc. provided funds to assist in festival expenses and to promote one of the oldest music festivals in the state.

In the past several years the Ripley County Music Festival has alternated between instrumental and choral music performances. Next year the choral departments of the four schools will perform.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

High school band members play warm up scales during rehearsal for the Ripley County Music Festival on Thursday, March 11. Dr. Robert Grechesky of Butler University's School of Music was the guest director. The annual festival featured a total of 358 students representing Batesville, Jac-Cen-Del, Milan, and South Ripley schools. Sponsor of the festival is the Ripley County Community Foundation, Inc.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

More than 186 members of middle school bands from the county's schools met for rehearsal on Thursday, March 11, prior to their evening performance in the Milan High School gym. The combined band was directed by Mr. Chad Welage, band director for Lockland schools in Ohio.