Elementary band teacher Jessica Pietrosanti leads band camp in a song. (AMY PORTER/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
Elementary band instructor Jessica Pietrosanti, High School Band Director Patrick Kennedy, Intermediate School Band Director William Choe and Middle School Band Director Ryan Emken. (AMY PORTER/THE WESTFIELD SCHOOL)
WESTFIELD — Band Camp started this week under a tent in the field behind the Boys & Girls Club. Approximately 75 musicians entering grades 5 to 10 signed up for one or both of the free week-long sessions from 8:30 to 12 p.m.
Leading Band Camp are High School Band Director Patrick Kennedy, Middle School Band Director Ryan Emken, Intermediate School Band Director Will Choe and elementary band teacher Jessica Pietrosanti. General music specialist Emily Baker is also participating, working with Boys & Girls Club campers in the cooperative effort.
Kennedy said he also recruited juniors and seniors as student mentors for the camp.
“The kids are great. We’re really enjoying being here and doing what we do,” he said.
Emken, Choe and Pietrosanti agreed that it was great to be playing together after not being able to play in bands for the past year.
“We’re really excited to have these kids here. After a year of playing at home, on screens, and mixed, it’s nice to get the kids excited (to play) right before school starts,” Emken said.
Middle School Band Director Ryan Emken works with percussion on a song. (AMY PORTER/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
Kennedy said the incoming fifth graders have never been in a band before. At the end of one session, he told all the students that the teachers were really proud of the work they were putting in. Band camp will also give them the experience of performing together as a band when they play the songs they have been practicing for their families and friends at the end of both weeks.
Intermediate School Band Director William Choe. (AMY PORTER/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
For Kennedy, band camp is something he has wanted to start for a long time.
“We finally have a team of teachers willing to put in the time in the summer,” he said, adding that he is thankful for the support of the Boys & Girls Club and the school district to make it happen.
