"For Bringing Music to My Life" ~ Tribute to Music Teachers

TOP SECRET: SAUCON VALLEY ALUMNI SURPRISE PERFORMANCE FOR THEIR MUSIC TEACHERS
(Hellertown, PA/May 31, 2012) The Saucon Valley School District's High School Music Department will see 100% turnover in staffing this year. Band Director, Mr. Kevin O'Connell, and Choral Director, Mr. Dennis Smith are both retiring at the close of this school year. Both graduates of West Chester University, Smith has been teaching at SVHS for 35 years. O'Connell joined the staff in 1997 after coming from the East Penn School District.

The final "Pops" concert of their teaching careers was held May31st in the Saucon Valley High School Auditorium. What made this concert extra special is that a group of approximately 80 Saucon Valley alumni returned to surprise their former teachers to perform a brand new choral piece titled "For Bringing Music To My Life." The music was composed especially for this event by SV alumnus Ryan O'Connell. Already an accomplished composer, Ryan has studied film scoring at the University of Southern California and he is the son of retiring Band Director Kevin O'Connell. The lyrics were written by Eric Ambler, another Saucon Valley graduate.

Alumni organizers of the musical surprise are Sara Heintzelman, Michael Schmidt, and Nancy Harte. The group was working on the surprise since September. "We were trying to think of a way to honor these two incredible men who have devoted their lives to making a difference in kid's lives through music. What better way than to use the gifts they have given us? Both Mr. O'Connell and Mr. Smith have had a deep impact on my life and the lives of everyone who came up through the music program at Saucon. They will be dearly missed in the Saucon community," said Heintzelman.
— with Ryan O'Connell, Kevin O'Connell and Saucon Valley Music Connection at Saucon Valley high school.

This musical composition is the sole property of Ryan O'Connell and Eric Ambler http://www.ryanomusic.com/ryanomusic/... .