Thursday night’s band concert was a celebration as Berea-Midpark’s Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Symphonic Winds all performed to a packed crowd in the Berea-Midpark Performing Arts Center. Along with the terrific performances, the night was highlighted by the presentation of multiple awards and a special salute to retiring band director, Dan Barth.
After recognizing the seniors who were performing, the band program presented the following awards:
- Katie Schauer Memorial Award
- Dina Alhalabi
- Dylan Peterson
- Tom Farmer Behind the Scenes Award
- Bridget Bartlett
- Directors Award
- Katherine Errington
- Dan Barth Symphonic Band Achievement Award
- Dan Palisin
- Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
- Brendan Akins
- Patrick S. Gilmore Award
- Garrett Peto
- John Philip Sousa National Award
- Karis Brennan
Following the awards the event turned to honoring band director, Dan Barth who will be retiring at the end of the school year. A special video was shown highlighting some Mr. Barth’s memories and some well wishes from former students. The audience also heard from James Fudale, Sr., who first hired Mr. Barth and “took a chance” on bringing in a kid right out of college to be his assistant band director.
The Symphonic Band Achievement Award was also renamed in honor of Mr. Barth who conducted his final performance with Symphonic Band and received a standing ovation. One of the main highlights of the evening was a performance by Mr. Barth’s former students and colleagues who joined Symphonic Winds to perform Leonard Bernstein’s Suite from Mass.
In his remarks to the audience Mr. Barth thanked his colleagues, band parents and especially the students for his thirty-four years of teaching. Many members of Mr. Barth’s family were in attendance including his sister and father, along with his wife, Mitzi and daughter, Victoria.
Video of the entire evening is below courtesy of Jim and Tracey Maxwell. Also included is the video that ran at the concert that mentioned earlier, created by Tracey Maxwell.
We hope you enjoy this very special night for the Berea-Midpark Band program and Mr. Dan Barth.