RMS band ends year with standing ovation GHC, 100 Black Men of Rome team up for camp
The Rockmart middle school band Put on a concert that left the crowd in a standing ovation as the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade musicians filled the gymnasium floor and played ten incredible pieces of music.
Let’s just say the crowds ears were left with a treat.
Steve Day directed the woodwind and percussion orchestras through a verity of pieces that range from classical style pieces, party jams, and percussion only pieces that Day him self got a little action in.
The pieces played throughout the concert included Gallant March, Danza Africa, Dark Forest, Pink Panther theme, Invader, Relics of the Past, and Party Rock Anthem.
There was a piece that was all percussion that was played at the very begging of the concert called Intro.
The full band was also accompanied by a bass guitar and a rock drum kit version The Final Countdown by Europe.
When asked how it was to conduct the concert, Day responded, “this was nerve wracking for sure, you always want everything to go right and it never will.”
“But everyone’s attitude is just in the right way.” said Day. “To turn around and see all the moms, dads, grandparents, and all these people who came out who came out who cares about these kids of ours you sense a great responsibility you had and then to a have a wonderfully successful evening like tonight that makes all it worth while.”
8th grader Caroline Richardson was asked what was it like to play in their final middle school concert.
“With it being our last concert, its honestly amazing to see how far we all have came especially with the sixth graders and then you notice just how much you progressed as a band this year,” she said.
The 12- year- running Foundation Camp at Georgia Highlands College has been around long enough to prove it is changing lives. It returns this summer from Tuesday to June 9.
The camp, which is one of several partnerships between the 100 Black Men of Rome-Northwest Georgia and Georgia Highlands College, is funded by generous donors and the GHC Foundation, giving students the opportunity to attend the camp free of charge, including transportation and a breakfast and lunch.
The camp focuses on academics, athletics and enrichment courses intended to build self-respect and confidence, and to allow the young men to experience college. These two weeks each year are making a positive impact for its attendees. Just ask former camper and current volunteer Corey Pitts.
Every year, Pitts blocks out two weeks in his calendar. Nothing interferes with those two weeks. Not his business. Not his friends. Not his family.
When he was a kid, those two weeks helped mold him into who he is today. While he was in college, those two weeks motivated him to finish. Now, those two weeks are a chance for him to be an example and mentor to hundreds of boys between the ages of 10 and 14.
“This camp means a lot to me. I feel like I can help change those kids’ lives. They just need some guidance and inspiration,” he said. “Not all kids are going to be an NBA player. They want to be an NBA player, but there’s more out there than just sports.”