BHS Winter Concert, Dedication Delights Hundreds
Jan 02, 2015 12:39PM ● By Pamela Johnson
At the dedication of the Harry G. Schreffler Fine Arts Wing (L-R): Harry & Jan Schreffler, Robert Glynn, Marie Forte, BHS Principal Peter Marano & Supt. Edward Fleury
written by Steven Chisholm,
Bulletin Correspondent
On December 11, hundreds gathered at Bellingham High School’s Winter Concert to pay homage to BHS former Music Director Harry G. Schreffler, and celebrate the renaming of the school’s Fine Arts Wing in his honor.
The concert began with the Presentation of the Colors performed by Bellingham Boy Scout troops 1, 14, and 100, alongside Rick Poirier of the Old Colony Council. The crowd was encouraged to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance before the Bellingham Memorial Middle School Chorus took the stage.
The BMMS Chorus greeted the night’s guests with a rendition of the Australian Aboriginal welcome song, “Abeeyo.” They also serenaded the audience with a song from the well-known Disney movie Frozen, titled “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” as well as the all-familiar “The Bells of Christmas.”
The Bellingham High School Chorus was next to take the stage, where they led off with David Eddleman’s “Bidi Bom.” The chorus offered further renditions of “Jubilant Gloria” and the ever-popular “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” featuring dancing duets.
Schreffler was awarded a commemorative plaque and was called to the podium to make a speech of his own, where he expressed his gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him. “I am humbled by your presence here today, and I’d like to thank you for your generosity and friendship,” he said, as he rounded out his speech to an uproarious, standing ovation.
The BMMS Seventh & Eighth Grade Band followed the Harry G. Schreffler Fine Arts Wing dedication. Conducted by Robert Glynn, the band led off with the uplifting “Improvement March.” The next number was more down-tempo but nonetheless entertaining as the band played their rendition of “A Childhood Hymn.” They departed the stage after playing John Higgins’ “Overture on a Shaker Tune.”
The last to take the stage was Bellingham High School Concert Band led by Conductor Marie S. Forte. Joining the band for their first song, “Sleigh Bells,” were some former students of Mr. Schreffler. Once the alumni exited the stage, the band played “Chorale and Shaker Dance II” and finished with “Christmas Pop Sing-A-Long.”
To wrap up the night, the high school chorus was brought back out to perform alongside the band. Audience members were invited to participate in sing-a-long songs, including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The auditorium echoed with the sounds of hundreds of concert-goers coming together in song.
Before departing, the audience was invited to the cafeteria to enjoy cookies, milk, hot cocoa, and coffee, hosted by the Bellingham Friends of Music, where they could speak with, congratulate, and thank Harry G. Schreffler, a man who has selflessly devoted himself to the Bellingham community.
Bulletin Correspondent
On December 11, hundreds gathered at Bellingham High School’s Winter Concert to pay homage to BHS former Music Director Harry G. Schreffler, and celebrate the renaming of the school’s Fine Arts Wing in his honor.
The concert began with the Presentation of the Colors performed by Bellingham Boy Scout troops 1, 14, and 100, alongside Rick Poirier of the Old Colony Council. The crowd was encouraged to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance before the Bellingham Memorial Middle School Chorus took the stage.
The BMMS Chorus greeted the night’s guests with a rendition of the Australian Aboriginal welcome song, “Abeeyo.” They also serenaded the audience with a song from the well-known Disney movie Frozen, titled “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” as well as the all-familiar “The Bells of Christmas.”
The Bellingham High School Chorus was next to take the stage, where they led off with David Eddleman’s “Bidi Bom.” The chorus offered further renditions of “Jubilant Gloria” and the ever-popular “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” featuring dancing duets.
Harry G. Schreffler
Following a brief intermission, Harry G. Schreffler was called onto the stage along with his wife, Jan, where he received kind words from Superintendent Edward Fleury, BHS Principal Peter Marano, BHS Band and Chorus Director Marie S. Forte, and BMMS Band Director Robert Glynn. Mr. Glynn expressed how modest Mr. Schreffler was when he found out about the renaming of the Fine Arts Wing. “He wasn’t very thrilled about the recognition he was getting,” said Robert Glynn, “[Mr. Schreffler] seriously said to me, ‘Why should I be recognized for something I want to do?’”
Schreffler was awarded a commemorative plaque and was called to the podium to make a speech of his own, where he expressed his gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him. “I am humbled by your presence here today, and I’d like to thank you for your generosity and friendship,” he said, as he rounded out his speech to an uproarious, standing ovation.
The BMMS Seventh & Eighth Grade Band followed the Harry G. Schreffler Fine Arts Wing dedication. Conducted by Robert Glynn, the band led off with the uplifting “Improvement March.” The next number was more down-tempo but nonetheless entertaining as the band played their rendition of “A Childhood Hymn.” They departed the stage after playing John Higgins’ “Overture on a Shaker Tune.”
The last to take the stage was Bellingham High School Concert Band led by Conductor Marie S. Forte. Joining the band for their first song, “Sleigh Bells,” were some former students of Mr. Schreffler. Once the alumni exited the stage, the band played “Chorale and Shaker Dance II” and finished with “Christmas Pop Sing-A-Long.”
To wrap up the night, the high school chorus was brought back out to perform alongside the band. Audience members were invited to participate in sing-a-long songs, including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The auditorium echoed with the sounds of hundreds of concert-goers coming together in song.
Before departing, the audience was invited to the cafeteria to enjoy cookies, milk, hot cocoa, and coffee, hosted by the Bellingham Friends of Music, where they could speak with, congratulate, and thank Harry G. Schreffler, a man who has selflessly devoted himself to the Bellingham community.
