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Schreffler to Be Honored at Bellingham Concert

Dec 01, 2014 06:00AM ● By Steven Chisholm
written by Steven Chisholm
Bulletin Contributing Writer

Bellingham High School cordially invites the public to attend its Bellingham Winter Concert in honor of the ongoing charitable works of BHS’s former music director, Harry G. Schreffler. The concert will begin at 6:30 pm on Thursday, Dec. 11, and admission will be free.  Featured at the concert will be the Seventh & Eighth Grade Band and Chorus, BHS Chorus, BHS Concert Band, and a special appearance by the local Boy Scout troops. The concert will also include the special presentation and naming of the Harry G. Schreffler Arts Wing at BHS.

Schreffler will be in attendance as the Fine Arts Wing is renamed in his honor. The concert will host an array of music ranging from classical to holiday and winter compositions, concluding with a celebratory singing of the traditional Christmas sing-along. A reception will follow the concert; it will include milk, cookies, hot cocoa, and coffee, hosted by the Bellingham Friends of Music.

BHS’s current music director, Marie Forte, described Harry G. Schreffler as “…an incredibly optimistic, passionate musician who loves working with children.” Forte and fellow staff members planned the dedicated concert in secrecy, knowing that Schreffler would be too humbled by the concept to allow it to occur. Yet, given his lifelong achievements, there’s no question that he deserves such an honor.

After working 6 years as Bellingham Junior High’s music teacher and 19 years as music teacher and band director at Bellingham High, Schreffler continues his involvement in the Bellingham music program through retirement, visiting the Fine Arts Wing 2 or 3 times a week to offer his extensive knowledge of music.

Schreffler shared his immense appreciation for the teachers and students of the music program. “The fifth-graders have only been playing a couple of months. They’re amazing. These teachers who are in the trenches and doing a fantastic job, and the kids, are unbelievable. They’re really good kids,” he said.

Beyond his dedication to the school system’s music program, he has also served the country as a member of the United States Air Force for 4 years. Furthermore, he’s played a significant role in the local Boy Scout community, devoting 50 years of service.

When asked about his reaction to discovering his honor, Schreffler said, “I’m so amazed with this whole thing. I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to have them do that.”
“It’s nice to know that the Bellingham Music program is alive and well,” said Schreffler, “They’ve got some tremendous teachers.”

And to the public, Harry G. Schreffler expressed his thanks: “Thank you for thinking of us. I can’t express the feeling that we have about this honor. It’s a great place. It was a wonderful place for me to teach in. I made a lot of friends over there. It was such a good experience for me.”

The Bellingham music program’s staff and students urge the attendance of the public and former Bellingham Music alumni to celebrate Mr. Schreffler’s generous devotion to the community and its growing musicians.

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