By Rikki Cason<br><a href="mailto:rikki.cason@journal-register.com">E-mail Rikki</a>
Kicking the holiday season off with a bang, students at Kendall Junior/Senior High School were entertained Tuesday by Army Rock Band. The band, which consists of soldiers from the 198th U.S. Army Reserves, performed for the students and played a wide variety of music.
“We wanted to enrich the students holiday and kick off the break,” said Kendall Junior/Senior High School Principal Carol D'Agostino.
D’Agostino said the band’s drummer, Nathan Fox, is the drumline instructor for Kendall, and he suggested that the band play for the school.
The assembly began with members of the Army Brass Quintet performing for the students. The group worked with the Junior High Band earlier that day and played several songs.
Then, high school band instructor Joe Pompili took the stage and introduced the band, saying how he was honored to have them play. As the lights dimmed, the strobe lights flashed and the black lights glowed, the seven-member band ran to the stage. The group performed songs such as “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “New York State of Mind,” “Mustang Sally” and “Easy Like Sunday Morning.”
“Performances like these give students a sense of what we do in our jobs,” said Sgt. Laura Washburn, who plays keyboards and sings in the band.
She said that the group enjoys playing at local schools. She also thinks that the performances pique interest in the military, and the students enjoy the music.
Other members of the band include Staff Sgt. Matthew Stephens, Sgt. Phil Conjerti, Sgt. Ian Belknap, Sgt. Zach Randolfh and Sgt. 1st Class Glen Gagnier.
Before the concert, D'Agostino thanked the school for its hard work raising money for Earn Us Hope, an organization that provides comfort bags to women with ovarian cancer. D’Agostino said that the school began raising money for the organization after their own school nurse was diagnosed.
“I’m very proud for all you’ve donated,” D’Agostino said.
During the fundraising drive, Kendall donated more than $700.
Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.
