Mulberry Elementary musicians make history

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CRIME BLOTTER
March 21, 2012
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March 21, 2012
CRIME BLOTTER
March 21, 2012

For the first time in the history of Terrebonne Parish and Mulberry Elementary School, an all fifth-grade band will compete in the Louisiana Music Educator’s Association District VII Choral Large Ensemble Festival at Nicholls State University.


“These fifth-grade students have been with me since kindergarten, studying music. They are a very advanced group,” music teacher and band director Eric “Mr. Z” Zelasko said. “It’s almost unheard of for a band of only fifth graders to attend this competition. Most people mix fifth and sixth graders. Our band is made of 100 percent beginners.”

The band has been practicing since January will perform “Time Traveler,” “Early Bird March” and “Anasazi” at the event.


“Anasazi is the hardest piece, but it sounds the coolest,” clarinetist Delaney Ferrer said. “When Mister Z (as students call Zelasko) told us at the Winter Concert that we were going to the district competition, we all started freaking out because we were so excited.”


Last week, the band was critiqued retired Terrebonne High School band director and Zelasko’s former band teacher by Ronny Jones.

“We are ready,” Zelasko said. “We are just doing a little polishing. I wanted a fresh set of ears to listen to the band before the competition.”


Jones also took a turn instructing the fifth graders.


“Mr. Jones was really cool to work with,” clarinetist Brooke Jones said. “When we got really frustrated practicing, he told us all to stand up and scream as loud as we could. It was a great way to relieve stress and give us more energy.”

“I love the way the band sounds when everyone plays as a group,” baritone saxophonist player Allison Picou said. “It’s a really cool sound.”


“Allison’s instrument is almost as big as me,” Ferrer said, laughing.


As the date of the competition draws closer, band members are required to practice two hours a week at home, in addition to the class time.

“But it’s not like regular homework,” Jones said. “It’s fun to practice.”


Band runs in the blood of these three music minded gals. Ferrer’s mother played the clarinet, Picou’s older siblings played in the school’s band, and Jones’ mother and father both played instruments as well.


“My mom played percussion. She said there were a lot more girls playing percussion back then. I don’t remember what my dad said he played,” Jones said. “My mom and dad told me to work hard and practice.”

Musical traditions don’t stop there.

“My little sister is in the first grade and already told me she wants to play the clarinet too when she gets older,” Ferrer said. “I love the sensation of telling people that I’m in the band. They always tell me, ‘I wanted to be in the band, but I never joined.”’

The girls also said they all knew they wanted to be in the band by the second grade.

Zelasko, who has been teaching music for eight years, six at Mulberry Elementary School, band students leaving the elementary school for middle school have a 90 percent retention rate for staying involved in music.

“I’d like to play in the Nicholls State University band, and maybe get a scholarship,” Jones said.

Picou expressed interest in taking up the tenor saxophone later, while Ferrer and Jones both also tried the bass clarinet.

“Mister Z said he needed someone taller to play those instruments because of the strength it takes to blow them,” Ferrer said.

Zelasko spoke very highly of his students, and this trip to the competition is not his first.

“Last year they were only playing recorders,” Zelasko said. “When the students enter the fifth grade, we begin using instruments.”

“I have been to district and state with our bands every year I have been here, and if we get there this year, this will be the sixth year we head to state,” the instructor added. “We are bringing the two fifth-grade bands and the sixth-grade bands.”

“This competition gives them a goal,” Zelasko said. “I don’t have to get after them to practice either. They are in here practicing in the morning.”

“We all want so much to make it to state,” Ferrer said. “Then we’ll really be making history by making music.”

Mulberry Elementary School music teacher and band director Eric Zelasko leads the fifth grade band during practice. For the first time in the school’s history, fifth grade band students from Mulberry Elementary School will be attending the district band competition at Nicholls State University.

CLAUDETTE OLIVIER | TRI-PARISH TIMES