Newark High SchoolVeteran’s Day “Thank You” Concert

November 6, 2018

For the second year in a row, a wonderfully-inspirational evening concert salute to area veterans November 6th was attended by more than 500 people.

And NHS instrumental music teacher Robert Humphrey and NHS vocal music teacher Kate Flock were delighted.e concert featured American patriotic music performed by the NHS Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, directed by Humphrey and

the NHS Mixed Choir and Chamber Choir, directed by Flock.

U.S. Army Captain Seth Burgess, a 2002 NHS graduate, read patriotic quotations before each musical selection. Burgess attended RIT after graduation and in 2004 enlisted in the New York Army National Guard. He was commissioned as a military intelligence officer in 2007 upon completion of RIT’s Army ROTC program. During his 14 years of military service, Burgess was mobilized twice for “Operation Enduring Freedom” that included, in 2012, an overseas deployment to Afghanistan. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions overseas. Burgess also served on active duty with the FEMA Region II Homeland Response Force, that responds to incidents in the U.S.. He currently serves in the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters with the New York Army National Guard.

During the selection nearly at the end of the concert, the various service branches’ songs were played during “Armed Forces: e Price of America!” and veterans were asked to stand and be recognized when their song was played.

An unexpected highlight of the evening came at the end of the concert when Newark August Mauer American Legion Post 286 Commander Fred Barker thanked and presented the NHS Music Department with a plaque thanking it for its efforts to honor veterans.

A highlight of the evening came at the end of the concert when Newark August Mauer American Legion Post 286 Commander Fred Barker thanked and presented the NHS Music Department with a plaque thanking it for its efforts to honor veterans.

After the concert, veterans and their guests were feted at a reception in the NHS band room. Humphrey later said he was pleased that the event had attracted so many.“I am thrilled with how this has grown in just one year. e community support was fantastic. e musical performances were outstanding and the kids are saying

they hope we will keep this going. We will because we want this to become an enduring tradition at Newark High School. It was a heartwarming night which allowed the kids the chance to give back to their community,” he said.

In the concert program, Humphrey and Flock thanked veterans with these heartfelt words: “e entire music department is pleased and honored to be able to present this concert to our area veterans. Everything we have is due, in large part, to the sacri"ces made by you, America’s truest heroes. “We ask that you accept the event as a gesture of thanks to you and yours for all you have done, sacri"ced, witnessed and empowered for the sake of freedom. “Children need the opportunity to honor those who truly deserve recognition. We thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for giving them the chance to do so.”

After the concert, veterans and their guests were feted at a reception in the NHS band room. Humphrey later said he was pleased that the event had attracted so many.“I am thrilled with how this has grown in just one year. e community support was fantastic. e musical performances were outstanding and the kids are saying

they hope we will keep this going. We will because we want this to become an enduring tradition at Newark High School. It was a heartwarming night which allowed the kids the chance to give back to their community,” he said.

In the concert program, Humphrey and Flock thanked veterans with these heartfelt words: “e entire music department is pleased and honored to be able to present this concert to our area veterans. Everything we have is due, in large part, to the sacri"ces made by you, America’s truest heroes. “We ask that you accept the event as a gesture of thanks to you and yours for all you have done, sacri"ced, witnessed and empowered for the sake of freedom. “Children need the opportunity to honor those who truly deserve recognition. We thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for giving them the chance to do so.”