Bob Halligan Jr. a 1971 graduate of CBA, spoke to students in music classes during Music Appreciation Week.
Dewitt, NY – Christian Brothers Academy celebrated Music Appreciation Week Feb. 12-16.
The week was packed with a number of music related activities including featured student performers, a “Name That Tune” and trivia contest, a guest speaker and a dress down day benefiting a local foundation.
Each morning prior to school, students would perform in the hallway outside of the main office. Student performers included David Kenney (piano); Phylicia Latorre (violin); Michael Hill (electric violin), a ukulele ensemble and a jazz/blues improvisation with David Kenney and Ayo Oguntola.
On Tuesday, between every change of class, students were challenged to “Name That Tune.” The students who correctly named all nine tunes received a gift certificate to Mother’s Cupboard. Winners were Peter Asaf, Sara Vertino, Isaiah Lerch, Katie Purcell and Shivam Nanavanti.
During the lunch periods on Thursday, students were tasked to answer various music trivia questions. Students received a piece of candy for their prize.
On Friday during homeroom, students learned about the Landfill Harmonic Symphony Orchestra through a prayer service and video. In the poverty-stricken town of Cateura, Paraguay, young musicians search through landfills to assemble musical instruments. Even in the most destitute of situations, music brings joy and hope to all people.
Friday was also a dress down day for students. Money raised during the dress down day benefitted the Carrie Lazarus Fund for Extraordinary Talent, which helps musicians, singers and dancers with financial need reach their fullest potential by funding the expenses of lessons, instruments and other special opportunities. Lazarus was on hand to thank the entire student body during morning announcements and posed for a photo with the Senior High band.
“A huge thank you to everyone at CBA for donating to my fund for Extraordinary Talent,” Lazarus said “It’s so great to see students helping one another. We will use the money from Dress Down Day to help musicians, dancers and singers afford lessons, instruments and summer music programs. You are Extraordinary!”
“The addition of the dress down day and the opportunity to support the Carrie Lazarus Foundation connects music to our Lasallian Mission- serving those in need by helping to provide students who cannot afford an instrument with the same joy of music,” Principal Matt Keough said.
Also, on Friday, Bob Halligan Jr. ‘71 visited CBA and spoke to students in band and chorus. Halligan is currently a professor at Syracuse University and has written over 140 songs that have been recorded by artists such as Cher, Michael Bolton, Judas Priest, KISS, Kathy Mattea, Bob Carlisle, Rebecca St. James, Jump 5, and Maire Brennan.
“Music is universal,” Keough remarked. “Everyone can relate to some form of music that speaks to them in a way that words cannot. Music Appreciation Week helps us share in that feeling and also allows us to celebrate our talented musicians at CBA.”