August 22, 2023
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska
Barton Community College’s music department will host an instrumental performance at noon on Sept. 11 in the Fine Arts Auditorium to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives on 9/11 and honor the emergency services personnel from that day as well as all those who continue to serve in that capacity. The public is invited to attend.
Barton Director of Instrumental Activities Jamie Minneman created the event as part of her involvement with the Saluting America’s Band Directors Organization, which will culminate with her marching in the Macy’s Day Parade in New York and playing alongside a group of musical directors from across the nation at the 9/11 memorial on Nov. 20. Each director was asked to create a project in-line with this special recognition performance near the ground zero site.
“I thought it was a perfect way for my students to get to perform some of the same music that I will be in New York and to get to share in the honoring of our first responders,” she said. “They get to do it locally, and I get to do it at the 9/11 Memorial. It’s a way for all of us to give back just a little with the gift of music and remembrance.”
According to the Service Through Music website, “The national Saluting America’s Band Directors Organization highlights contributions bands make to their communities while also giving musicians a way to share in the values and ideals of Saluting America's Band Directors. Service Through Music is a unique program created especially for members of The Band Directors Marching Band and their students.”
For more information on the Service Through Music Organization visit, banddirectorsalute.org/service-through-music.
For more information about Barton’s instrumental activities contact Minneman at minnemanj@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9396.