ADVOCACY IN ACTION. EAST ALLEN COMMUNITY BAND
Description
The East Allen Community Youth Band (EACYB) provides an opportunity for band participation and musical growth in a non-competitive learning environment in the Southeast Fort Wayne community. The ensemble currently involves musicians and instructors from different schools. East Allen University, Paul Harding Jr. High and help from New Haven High School. Students are provided with instruments, private lesson instruction, and performance opportunities throughout the school year.
Timeline
In Fall 2023 regular rehearsals began with a rotation of guest clinicians and instructors. Rehearsals continued throughout the school year.
Overview of Planning and Execution
Music for All has announced the recipients of the 2025 Advocacy in Action Awards, which includes the East Allen Community Youth Band. These awards highlight educators and programs that have created an event or idea that is exceptional in their field and community.
The East Allen Community Youth Band’s project is entitled “A New Community Youth Band” and is a recipient of the 2025 student recruitment, engagement, and retention category. This category, as its name suggests, recognizes exceptional strategies for student recruitment, retention, and engagement and of course, this program could not exist if we didn’t have the amazing student musicians and instructors!
The students will have the opportunity to perform at this year's concert scheduled for May 1st at Pearl Arts in downtown Fort Wayne.
The student musicians are:
East Allen University:
Austin Gebhart , Marycarmen Saldana , Addison Spencer , Eah Tha Moo Soe, Samuel Arredondo, Mariah Jackson
New Haven High:
Ayden Hannan , Isabel Aleman , Reni Hughes, Ethan Heck, Noah Epps
Paul Harding Jr.
Leaa Bibbs, Deja Davis, Nadia Paz, Theron Smith, Davana Matata, Liberty Soe Mohammad Raihan, Da’Maria Beasley, Cindy Be, Angela M. Saldana, Memh Mamh Kanyja Grigsby, Jasmine Turner, Siti Noor Aulia, Aaliyah Sanchez, Cloud Palmieri, Amaya Palmieri
Instructors are: Rachel Kesar, Josh Rakoczy, HEHS Band Director, Andrew McElhaney, PHJH Band Director, principals, Mr. McCaffey, NHHS, Mr. Doug Hicks, EAU, Ms. Patty Meadows, NHHS and Mr. Charles Washington, PHJH
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES!