By Pvt. Choi Jung-hwan
2nd ID Public Affairs
CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea - Students with the Casey Middle School Band made a special experience with soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division Band during a band workshop at Camp Red Cloud on Feb. 16.
With 35 students and 15 soldiers, the workshop started out with introduction and a short safety briefing. Proceeding with their warm-up exercises, they played some scales and some tunes. When they finished warming up, they were split into different instrumental groups – brass, woodwind, percussion, and piano – to conduct sectional workshop where students were given more specific tips and lessons on their instruments.
During the sectional workshops, the 2nd ID band soldiers tried to make the event interesting and educational.
“It went great. In woodwind sectionals, we went out of ordinary and had an improvising session as well,” said Spc. Troy Paolantonio with the 2nd ID band.
“I got here in January and this is my first time in a workshop with the Casey Middle School Band,” said Paolantonio, a North Brunswick, N.J., native. “Members with 2ID were very helpful today, giving great tips to the students. In the future, maybe we will send out small groups of our band members to give the students more individual lessons and help.”
After their workshop in sectionals, they all gathered again and concluded the workshop by going through an entire concert together under the conduct of Susan McCamley, the Casey Middle School Band instructor.
The workshop was a more memorable experience some students said.
“I have been playing the bass clarinet for nine months, and it was my first time doing an improvised solo. I was very nervous, but it was fun,” said Jessica Lynnbaker, 7th grader. “I also learned other practical skills such as how to finger my bass clarinet easily.”
Kylynn Renae Gabbitas, a trumpet player, also in 7th grade, expressed her amazement at the skills displayed by the 2nd ID Band.
“Even though it was the first time they looked at our music, they were really good, as if they had been practicing,” she said.
The relationship between the 2nd ID band and Casey Middle School Band started last winter.
“We did a concert together, and the 2ID Band was willing to help our students, so I called them up for a workshop and they gladly invited us,” McCamley said. “It was a positive experience for our students since they had lots of fun, which helped them become more enthusiastic about the instruments they play. Also, I think this is a great community-building event.”