Good Music, Good Food and the Pride of Blazer Fall Concert Returns to Central Park

Good Music, Good Food and the Pride of Blazer

Fall Concert Returns to Central Park

Lavenna Stambaugh

The Ashland Beacon

    There is something special about gathering in Central Park on a fall evening, listening to good music, and enjoying a bowl of homemade chili or soup. Add a little Halloween spirit, and you have the makings of a community tradition.

    The Paul G. Blazer High School Band will bring that tradition back to the Central Park Bandstand on Tuesday, Oct. 13, with its annual Fall Concert and Crock Pot Cook-Off. The evening begins at 6 p.m. and will feature performances by the Jazz Ensemble and Concert Band, along with chili, soups, fixings, and desserts.

    According to Band Director Roger Doss, the cook-off has been going on for more than a decade. What began as a way to bring people together has become an opportunity for the community to enjoy local student musicians while supporting the band program.

        Doss encourages those attending to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music in the beautiful surroundings of Central Park. The food is free, and donations are welcome. Those donations will help fund an upcoming spring trip for the band.

    The event’s theme is simple: “Good music with a side of Halloween!” Of course, fall weather can be unpredictable. If conditions don’t cooperate, the concert will move to the Ashland Middle School auditorium, with the food served in the cafeteria.

    For this year’s drum major, senior Sophia Stambaugh, the event is about more than just performing.

    “I really enjoy the nice weather; it’s an amazing environment where the music is able to welcome the community. It’s nice being able to share our hard work with the locals! I love the food combined with the music; it truly is a fun experience.”

    While the concert and cook-off offer a fun evening for the community, they also provide a glimpse of just how much the Blazer Band has accomplished.

    Over the past four years, the band has grown from approximately 40 members to 60 and counting. That growth reflects an increasing interest in the program and the opportunities it offers students.

    “Our band is the Pride of Blazer,” Doss said. “We exemplify what it is to have Pride in our school and what we do. We bring the community together through our enthusiasm for something everyone loves: music!”

    That pride is backed by plenty of hard work. Students prepare for marching band performances at each home football game while also working toward fall concerts, concert band performances, and jazz band events. It’s a demanding schedule that requires commitment, teamwork, and countless hours of practice.

    The work has paid off. Last year, the band earned a Superior Rating, first place in its class, and the Overall Best High School Concert Band award at the Kings Island Music in the Parks Festival. The band also took first place in the Ashland Winter Wonderland of Lights Parade, giving the community another reason to celebrate its young musicians.

    Individual students have also been making their mark. Several have performed in all-district bands, and some have been finalists for all-state band. Two students even reached the all-state level during the inaugural year of Modern Band. Approximately 20 students participate in various honors bands, and many are also members of Ashland’s String Orchestra.

    The band’s musical opportunities extend beyond marching and concert performances. The Jazz Ensemble explores a variety of musical styles, including swing, Latin, and rock, giving students the chance to develop their skills across different genres.

    The Jazz Ensemble will have another opportunity to share its music with the community when it performs at the Paramount Festival of Trees and Trains on Nov. 21 at 3 p.m.

    For the students, these performances are about more than trophies and recognition. They are opportunities to learn, grow, build friendships, and represent their school and community. For those who come to listen, they offer a chance to see the results of that dedication firsthand.

    The Fall Concert and Crock Pot Cook-Off brings all of those things together in one evening. Families, friends, and community members can enjoy the music, sample a variety of soups and chili, and support students as they continue their musical journeys.

    So,  grab a lawn chair, bring your appetite, and make plans to spend Tuesday evening at Central Park. Come for the music, stay for the food, and help the Pride of Blazer keep growing.

    After all, a little good music, good food, and hometown pride make for a pretty wonderful way to spend a fall evening.