The Bi-annual All Town Band Concert was held Sunday, March 1, 2009 and it couldn’t have come at a better time. While the town of Marshfield is trying to find ways to save money in the coming year’s budget, music teachers, parents and students alike are hoping that the money doesn’t come at the music program’s expense. One way to help prevent this is to educate parents of the children in the younger grades by showing them what the fruits of their labor will produce by the time their children get into high school. As happens every other year at this concert, parents are amazed.

This concert encompasses the entire school system in Marshfield, from grades 4 through grade 12 in band. First the elementary students play a song, then the middle school does two numbers and it ends with the high school concert band and then wind ensemble. Seeing the progression in talent and ability is the most rewarding part of the day. The event ends with the entire group playing one song together, which is no easy feat when you consider that the “band” is encompassing the entire high school gymnasium. But Mr. Thomas and his fellow teachers pulled this off without a hitch.

By the time the wind ensemble from the high school finished their last song, the audience was on their feet for a standing ovation. It was a heart warming sight to see (we actually saw some tears in the audience) and a testament to where hard work and perseverance can take you. Congratulations to all the students and their teachers.