The Eighth Annual Loren B Wright Memorial Showcase of Bands will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Paul R Miller Stadium in Kane. The purpose of this event is to raise money for the Loren B Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Kane Area Music Boosters.
Wright taught music in the area for thirty five years. He started his career in Sheffield and in 1954 moved to Kane where he taught until he retired. He directed the band, orchestra, chorus and Choraliers. Very active in the community he was known as Kane's Music Man and in 1979, he was honored as Kane's Citizen of the Year.
One of Mr Wright's visions while teaching was to have an exhibition of area bands as a way to raise money for the Music Boosters. At that time there were no band competitions as there are today and area directors did not want to participate so the idea was dropped and an Evening of Music with Miss Pennsylvania Concert became the annual fundraising event. After his retirement he attended many band shows in the area and often commented on how he had tried to get one started in Kane. Mr. Wright passed away in May of 2002 and a scholarship was set up in his memory and given to a graduating senior from the Kane school.
In 2006, a second scholarship was established and awarded to a deserving music student from one of the schools whose band participates in the show. This award will be given each year to a band, choral or orchestral student based on performance and an essay on what music means to that student. In order for a school to have a student eligible, their band must have performed in the show.
This year's show will feature 12 bands from the surrounding area including Eisenhower, Youngsville, Warren, Elk County Catholic, Otto Eldred, Smethport, Port Allegany, Johnsonburg, Ridgway, Cameron County, St Marys and Kane. This will be an exhibition show with no judging giving competing bands a chance to perform their show in front of an audience prior to an actual competition. It also allows non competing bands to perform their shows in front of a non football audience. Over 1000 students will be participating in this event.
For the second year in a row, The Grey Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from Johnsonburg will perform after all the bands. They were a big hit last year with the crowd as they are sure to be again this year.
The show will start at 5 p.m. with the National Anthem. The first band will take the field at 5:15. Everyone is invited. There is an admission. Refreshments, a basket raffle, Buffalo Bills Ticket raffle and 50/50s will be available.