Bad religion forms God after our likeness, traits
May 2, 2012
Boater’s Lagniappe Day set for May 12
May 2, 2012
Better change that tune to when the Mulberry Elementary School Cougars come marching in.
“This is the first time in parish’s history that a fifth grade band places first at the state band festival,” said Mulberry Elementary Band Director Eric Zelasko. “This is also the first time in the school’s history that both the fifth and sixth grade bands have sweepstakes trophies.”
The road to state took form just two short months ago, when the band was being recognized for being one of the few fifth grade bands to make it to the Louisiana Music Educators Association State Choral Large Ensemble Festival district festival at Nicholls State University. At the state level, the Mulberry Band found themselves performing among 20-50 other bands from across the state.
“Eric called to tell me before he even told the students,” said Mulberry Elementary Princiapal Mary Aucoin. “It’s awesome and I knew they could do it. Eric is an excellent director. When we announced it to the school, you could here the yelling down the hallways.”
Anxious parents and other family members waited for more than an hour – with posters and balloons — for the winners to make it back to the school on Monday afternoon after their long journey from the competition, which was hosted at the Lake Charles Civic Center.
“We were at the event,” said Michael Wallace as he and his wife Michele waited with their two other children for their son Charles to make it back. Charles plays French horn in the fifth grade band. “There were about 50 parents from here at the festival.”
The Wallaces said their son is so taken with playing in the band that he has already signed up to play next year.
“He loves music and likes a lot of different instruments,” Michele said. “Our other children tell him to shut the door when he practices because it’s so loud, but they want to be in the band now too because he plays. That French horn is really loud when he practices at home.”
According to the Wallaces, the Mulberry band was one of the first schools to perform at the event.
“There were about 50 parents from here at the event,” the Michael said.
Also fresh in from the event were parents Julie Trahan, whose son Caleb Trahan plays the baritone in the fifth grade band, and Leslie Domangue, whose son Aaron plays the French horn in the fifth grade band.
“It was ecstatic, just kids screaming when they won,” Trahan said. “They were jumping up and down. They were so excited. It’s such a great accomplishment.”
Domangue’s son comes to his musical background through his family tree.
“I played the flute and French horn when I was in school, and his older brother is also in band,” Domangue said. “I was so excited to attend the event and support the children. I am thrilled his is in the band. I was so anxious.”
When the boys finally piled off one of the three buses that ferried the students to the Southwest corner of the state, they were both in agreement that when “Mr. Z,” as Zelasko is known to the students, walked out the with trophy, it was the best part of the event.
“I was so exited when we won, my friends and I turned and screamed at each other,” Caleb Trahan said. “I want to go back next year. Seeing Mr. Z come out with the trophy was the most exciting part of the trip.”
“When Mr. Z was about to walk out with the trophy, everyone was so excited,” Aaron Donangue said. “We just knew he was going to walk out with it. I hope we go again next year. We are going to shave Mr. Z’s head again.”
According to Zelasko, this marks the last major event of the year for the band.
“This is the end of the line for us this year. There is no national event or anything,” Zelasko said. “We have our Spring Concert on at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 8. and our band picnic May 11. We may even begin prepping for next year.”
Not that the band has a whole lot to worry about when it comes the road to next year’s state competition, between winning this year and Zelasko’s unwavering faith in his students.
“They are automatically invited back because they won sweepstakes, the highest level you can get at state, and received all ones, the highest marks, in the judging,” Zelasko said. “I look forward to next year. I knew they were ready. We were very confident at the end of rehearsals last week. They did a superior job, fantastic. I am very proud of the kids and very thankful for the parents who have supported the kids through this. Also want to thank community for helping to pay for the buses to get us there.”
Members of the Mulberry band return home after taking home the state championship.
