BY KATHY DREYFUS

Special to The Journal-Register

The Medina Mustang Band and its boosters wound up the 2008-09 season on Tuesday with the 39th annual banquet at the Sacred Heart Club in Medina. In addition to the students, staff, boosters and parents, other guests included high school Principal Wes Pickreign, along with school board members William Keppler, Susanne Keryk, Carol Heiligenthaler and Maureen Blackburn.

Band Director Scott Hoffman introduced the booster officers and thanked those who are stepping down from their positions for this year. Recognition was also given to the instructional staff, including Hoffman, Brett Ransom, assistant band director; Cheri Wopperer, middle school band director; Roxanne Morgan, twirler instructor; Jenn Clark, visual instructor; Color Guard Instructors Brianna Watts and Diana Baker; and percussion Instructors David Gray, Jeff Pask and Dave Clark. Watts, Baker and Gray are all, themselves, recent graduates of Medina High School and the band program.

Band members were recognized for various achievements. A number of students were given awards for 100 percent attendance in field, street and the two combined. Others were given awards for their participation in the Bowl-a-Thon for highest and lowest game scores for a boy and a girl, as well as highest and lowest total scores of the three games that each student played.

Rank competition involves the times in spring that the band performs its street show and the various sections within the band compete against each other for fun or “rank.”

The New York State Field Band Conference Scholarship was given to Beth Stella, who has been a member of band for six years. This fall, she will continue her musical journey by attending college to major in music education.

Brandon Noreck won the Mustang Band Booster Scholarship, awarded each year to a senior who is planning to enter the field of music in college. Outstanding Band Member Awards in the Rookie class were granted to Matt Stanton, brass; Anna Sevenski, woodwinds; Tiffany Connors, percussion; and Lindsey Simms, guard.

The “Most Improved” awards were given to Matt Prawel, brass; Jenna Brien, woodwinds; Albert Thompson, percussion; and Caitlin Doherty, guard. Most Valuable awards were given to Derek Roberts, brass; Nichole Fuller, woodwinds; Lucas Houserman, percussion; and Elizabeth Fruehauf, guard.

Director’s Awards were given by Hoffman to Jeremiah Holloway and Derrick Newton. Service awards are based on the number of completed seasons in the band program. The first service awards were for members who completed six seasons in marching band. The award is the band pin, and 18 students received this award.

The second service award is for members who have completed eight season in marching band. The award is the minor “m,” and 14 students received this award. The third service award is for members who have completed 10 seasons. The award is the major “M,” and 10 students received this award.

Staff awards were given to each student who led an instrumental or guard section or held a position as a manager or officer in the band during the 2008-09 season; 22 awards were given in this category. The final service award is the medallion, which each student wore on their uniform. Each of the 23 seniors received this award.

The evening was packed with laughter and tears indicative of the “family” atmosphere that this band program instills in all who participate — whether it is the students, the boosters or the parents. Anyone who joins the band participates and has a role; there is no “sitting the bench” in band. A slide show of these memories was put together by Mike Dreyfus and Chuck Baker and shown to all who attended.

This was a challenging year for the program, but through all their hard work and dedication, the band managed to finish second in their class at the Dome, achieved five first-place finishes at the Gorham Pageant and a perfect score of 200 in Wind Ensemble at Gorham. The band also placed fifth overall at the USSBA 20th Anniversary Celebration in Baltimore.

Kathy Dreyfus is the publicity chairwoman for the Medina Mustang Band.

2009-10 staff appointments:

• Kim Bidell, drum major

• Alex Graff, assistant drum major

• Kevin Snyder, secretary

• Tricia Glass, attendance officer

• Kevin Cercone, Albert Thompson, John-Louis Pane, Zach Busch, band managers

• Tiffany Connors and Brittany Miller, uniform managers

• Ashlyn Zgoda, Emily Crossett and Sebastian Bonk, librarians

• Julie Baker, Samantha Baker and Jenna Gilman, guard managers

• Nic Elliott, percussion manager

• Derrick Newton, tuba manager

• Courtney McNeil, trombone/baritone manager

• Hillary Hoot, trumpet manager

• Emily Furness, mellophone manager

• Sarah Doberstein, saxophone manager

• Kristin Hill, flute manager