Marshall musicians prepare for performances
By Ashley Shah
The Marshall Middle School (MMS) instrumental music program will be hosting its annual band and orchestra concert on March 13.
“Our intermediate and advanced classes will be performing at that concert. Usually, various middle and high schools will come to participate as well. Scripps Ranch High School (SRHS) will probably be there,” Marshall music director Cameron Brown said. “I am really looking forward to presenting the music to a panel of judges. The students have worked so hard this season. It really fills my heart and soul to see them put so much effort into something.”
Following the concert in March, students in the intermediate and advanced classes will have the opportunity to perform in a competition hosted by Forum Music Festivals. The company partners with a local theme park.
On April 10, the intermediate classes will perform at a venue near Knott’s Berry Farm.
“It’s a day trip. The students perform in the morning. There will be other schools from all over. When the competition is over after the award ceremony, we spend the rest of the day at the park nearby,” Brown said.
On April 24, the advanced classes will perform at a venue near Disneyland.
“We go to this festival every year. Last year, all of our classes got the highest ranking, which is gold,” Brown said. “This is a very special competition. The competition is called the Judge’s Invitational. We have earned high enough ratings in previous competitions by this company, so we were invited to this. The award ceremony will actually take place at the park.”
The last performance of the school year will take place on May 14 at the school.
“This concert includes all of our classes, including the beginning band and orchestra,” Brown said.
The MMS music program has around 225 students this year. For band and orchestra, there is a beginning, intermediate, and advanced class.
“Having over 200 students is a great sign. We have been doing well with enrollment. I really hope that this type of enrollment and engagement continues,” Brown said.
With so many students and instruments, the program is always looking for more funding.
“We are always open to donations. We do have restaurant fundraisers a few times per year. Our concerts are a big way for us to fundraise as well,” Brown said. “At the moment, we are looking to raise around $12,000 for operating costs. The money goes toward transportation to the competitions, instrument repair, buying new music, video and audio equipment for our concerts, and more.”
Members of the Scripps Ranch community have generously demonstrated support for the MMS instrumental music program in the past, according to Brown.
“I just want to say how grateful I am to the community of Scripps Ranch. Members of the community are always willing to support and show up for our program. The support makes everything more fulfilling,” he said.
For more information about the program, visit www.mmsim.org.