In a normal school year, the high school orchestra has two concerts – one in December, and one in May. They also play “Pomp And Circumstance” at graduation. However, this year Mr. Salomone, the orchestra director, hopes to give them the opportunity to do more. The orchestra got the first of those opportunities on August 9th.

Kool FM (94.5 KOOL FM) is a radio station that has teamed up with Fulton Homes to provide a “Noon Salute”. Everyday at noon,  Kool FM plays “The Star Spangled Banner” as their way of honoring or country and our troops. Schools send Kool FM recordings of their bands, orchestras, or choirs performing “The Star Spangled Banner” in order to be featured in the Noon Salute. On top of being heard on the radio, “the top submission for the month will be awarded a $1,000 donation to their music department from Fulton Homes and their version will re-air on 94.5 KOOL FM.”[1]

 Mackenzie Chapuis, First Violinist

Other than taking their own recordings, schools have the option to schedule a time for Kool FM to come record them playing “the Star Spangled Banner”. So, on August 9th, a Kool FM representative arrived in the band room to record the high school orchestra. The orchestra ensured each player was in tune, warmed up for a few minutes, and then played through “The Star Spangled Banner” twice. They decided the second recording sounded better because it was more expressive.

Now the orchestra waits to find out when they will be played on the air and hopes to be chosen as the winners of the $1,000 prize. Meanwhile, they will have to decide on what they want to do with the money if they do win.

1. http://kool.cbslocal.com/fulton-homes-noon-salute/