"I learned that in a band a key to success is that dynamics are everything."
"I really enjoyed the field trip to watch The Allentown Band. It sounded really awesome, and I really liked how the conductor explained what the different parts they played meant. I learned some different ways composers can put variations on classic songs, and how composers arrange pieces to be played in two different keys to cause tension. It was a really cool concert and I wish our band were going back when I'm in 9th grade too."
"My favorite part of the concert was the Gallop. I remember tapping my foot to the beat the whole time it was being played."
"I learned how to make cleaner crescendos and descrescendos because of watching the conductor."
"You have to practice to sound good. When you play you leave an impression on the audience. My personal impression was that the Allentown Band is excellent."
"Now I know why my band director tells us that forte piano crescendos can make the music more dramatic and interesting!"
"I learned about older instruments such as the rope tension drum. I really enjoyed this concert experience."
"I learned that not anyone can be a musician, but a musician can be anyone. Many of the band members have jobs with no relevance to music. I think that is cool because it shows that being involved in music can just be a part of your life instead of being all you do."
" My favorite part was when the band played Stars and Stripes Forever. I learned that in the time of the Civil War, music had multiple purposes. I also learned they (military bands) would play music that would be used to signal troops to follow various orders."
"My favorite part was when the band played a tribute to Lincoln and a man read the Gettyburg Address to us. It sounded really awesome! "
"I liked the medley of Patriotic songs. I knew practically all the songs in the medley. I learned that music played by live bands was one source of entertainment in the 1800s."
"I think my favorite part was when they played America, because we got to sing with them and I thought it was cool to let us interact with them. I learned that when you practice really hard, you can sound really great. It's obvious the band members enjoy what they do."
"My favorite part was the Variations On America. It was really neat listening to different ways to play one song. I learned that not all of the band members are music teachers or band directors, but they are all amazing players because they practiced."
"My favorite part was when they played the Variations On America. I learned that playing in two different key signatures at the same time makes tension and makes you feel confuse."
"My favorite part was when the one trumpet player had all these neat solos and he was hitting a lot of high notes. I learned what a euphonium looks like. Before I heard about one, but have never seen one. It looked like a cool instrument to play."
"My favorite part was hearing all of the music because it sounded so nice and it was well practiced, and it sounded so beautiful. What I learned today was that there is an instrument called the bass calrinet that looks like a clarinet and a saxophone put together. I also learned that The Allentown Band is the oldest (civilian) Concert Band in America. I also learned that there is an instrument called the fife and it is made out of wood."
"My favorite part was how there was a screen that told us more about the songs and I also liked the narrations. I learned about how people used music to communicate during the Civil War and the importance of Veterans Day."
"My favorite part was when the piccolos played special music in the Civil War song. Another thing I liked was the setting and decoration of Symphony Hall."
"My favorite part was when the different battlefield signals were played. It was interesting and pretty neat to be hearing what soldiers long ago had to respond to, and to them, it was really important, but to us, it was for enjoyment. I learned different instruments can be used to imitate different sounds of the past. I also learned that instruments were very important during wars where radios hadn't yet been invented. Lastly, I learned more that using different variations can make the music sound unique and appeal to more kinds of people."
"I liked when the conductor stopped to explain and point out things in the music. I learned about John Phillip Sousa and I saw new instruments and I learned about playing in two different keys at the same time."
"My favorite part was when the band played Stars and Stripes Forever because it was such a powerful song and the dynamics were wonderful."
"My favorite part at Symphony Hall was watching how Ronald Demkee conducted the band. I learned that when you're in a band, you must participate and be a part of the band. I also learned about the fife. It had only holes and no keys."
"My favorite part was the way they intertwined the Gettysburg Address with the music. I enjoyed watching the percussion players switch from drums to mallets and back again."
Taylor B. - "The whole experience was fun and exciting, so it was hard to find a favorite part. I learned that wars were once filled with music.. Some of the music was for directions in the war but some was just for fun."
"My favorite part was the entire concert. Symphony Hall was just beautiful and getting to see and hear a wonderful band was amazing! Today I saw a lot of new instruments. I learned a lot of the instruments' names and how they sound. It was nice to watch the band play together. All of the band members had good posture as well. I learned about several composers too. It was a very good way to learn about new instruments, playing techniques, composers and Music. It was a great day to learn about Music.."
Dear Members of The Allentown Band, Thank-you for letting us come to listen to the wonderful music. I could not decide what I liked because I liked all of it! You guys are the best!
Dear Members of The Allentown Band, Thank you for inviting us. I liked the Armed Forces because it reminded me of my uncle, because he is in the Army.
Dear Members of The Allentown Band, I loved your fabulous performance. My favorite was the tribute to Abraham Lincoln. The trumpet was my favorite group because it had that high pitch sound. I never saw a band performance ever in my life but now I know what it will be like every time I go. Thank you for playing wonderful music for me.
Dear Members of The Allentown Band, I liked your music. I think you sounded great! I liked walking through the halls. I thought they were fancy. I hope I can hear you play again.
Dear Members of The Allentown Band, Thank-you for letting us come and watch you. I really enjoyed when you played Army Forces Veteran's Day Observance. You played very good. It must take a long time to practice. I really liked it. It reminded me my neighbor is in the Navy and my brother plays the trumpet. Thanks again!
Dear Members of The Allentown Band, Thank-you for a great time. I really enjoyed when you sang the piece America. It was my favorite song out of the whole show. The reason why I like the song America is it reminds me that America is a very great country and I live in it! I hope we come back again.
Dear Members of The Allentown Band, Thank you for inviting us to the show you put on. I really liked the part when you read the Gettysburg Address. You guys did really, really, really rock.
