#TBT West Point Band Hellcats Play for Heritage Middle School Scholars

March is Music in Our Schools Month! This time last year, right before schools in Orange County and throughout the country transitioned to remote learning, Mr. Michael Hickey, teacher from Heritage Middle School began to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month by inviting the West Point Band Hellcats to play for scholars in his music classes. 

The professional musicians discussed various elements and moods of the tunes they played. For example, the group discussed songs that were played for a function (announcing wake up, sun down, meal time, etc.) and songs that were played for entertainment, as technology was limited to people in the past and may still be limited on military bases, depending on the mission. 

The group discussed how music can influence a person’s mood and that music has often been played as a means of expression or to change the mood. Music as a means to communicate without using words was also discussed with the scholars. 

Scholars interacted with the group when they were playing by raising their hands during certain parts of a song to indicate certain moods. Scholars were also able to ask questions after each session. 

Performers who came from the West Point Band Hellcats included:

MSG William Cuthbert, Snare Drum

SSG Ashley Mendeke, Piccolo

SSG Heath White, Piccolo

SSG Gillian Huff, Bugle

SSG Daniel Haddock, Bugle

SSG Katherine Stephen, Bugle

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!