A current Valley School 7^th-grader, Levi, recently participated in the Junior High County Band held by the Westmoreland County Music Educators Association. The County Band event was hosted at Franklin Regional in Murrysville on Friday, January 31. He was nominated by Valley School music teacher, Mrs. Debbie Broker, who accompanied him at the day’s event. County Band brings together talented junior high musicians from Westmoreland County to perform in an evening concert after a day of rehearsals for the students. The student musicians performed five pieces of music together. “It was cool to perform for an audience with a professional conductor with the new friends I made at County Band,” stated Levi. “I would like to thank Mrs. Broker for nominating me to play the saxophone at County Band, even though I just started playing that instrument as a 6^th-grader. I am grateful for the opportunity to play two instruments (he also plays the clarinet) at Valley School of Ligonier, giving me a chance to stand out when I start applying to secondary schools and eventually colleges later in my educational journey.”

 

Valley School of Ligonier is proud of Mrs. Broker and the entire Fine Arts department and administration team for instilling a love of music and the arts in our students from the time they start attending kindergarten through eighth grade. “Levi was the only student in his 4^th grade class who was interested in learning to play the clarinet. His independence and his work ethic allowed him to soar. After he expressed interest in the saxophone, I pushed him to get a little further on the clarinet before making the switch. Although the clarinet and saxophone are related, sound production and fingerings are different. I’m proud of Levi for making the effort to perform well on both instruments. That is quite an achievement for a 7^th grader whose real love is basketball,” relates Mrs. Broker. Our school is honored to see our Valley Core Values of “Building Community” and “Seeking Wisdom” in action at the Westmoreland County Junior High Band and beyond!