Band collaboration rocks Auditorium
By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
BANGOR — The annual high school basketball tournament is an opportunity for athletes to grab the spotlight, a chance for fans to break up the long winter with a trip to Bangor and often an occasion for high school bands to play in front of their biggest audience ever. The Presque Isle High School band used that stage to give the crowd something different, with some help from their MDI High School counterparts.
On Wednesday during the Wildcats’ semifinal contest against the Trojans the PIHS band began playing the 1970s rock anthem “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas, at the same time the MDI Band joined in.
“It was a last-minute thing,” said Dan Schneider, the band director for PIHS. “Dan Granholm, the MDI band director, and I thought it would be fun to combine forces.”
Staff photo/Jon Gulliver
ROCKIN’ THE AUDITORIUM — The Presque Isle High School band got the Bangor Auditorium buzzing during the semifinal round of the high school basketball tournament. A last-minute decision to collaborate on a song with the MDI band was an excellent example of sportsmanship said PIHS band director Dan Schneider. -sh-09.jpg)
Schneider said the fans from both communities got a kick out of the jam and gave the kids a big ovation.
“The bands enjoyed it as well,” he said. “They congratulated one another backstage — high-fives, etc. I felt it was an excellent display of great sportsmanship.”
Band member Evan Waddell said he was proud to be part of the collaboration.
“We rocked it,” he said. “I couldn’t hear their band but I think we were in sync the entire time.”
“I think it was awesome,” said band member Riley Norton. “I mean the whole place was loud and rocking.”
Former County resident Debra Walsh, who now lives in Clifton, was in the auditorium crowd for the performance.
“At first I thought it was a mistake,” she said. “Usually one band plays and then the other. It was neat to see the two directors stand between the two bands at the end of the court, each watching each other and also keeping an eye on their respective bands.”
Schneider said another collaboration like this is possible in the future, but added he likes to keep the audience guessing and give them something new each time.
