The 2005 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 5 Band Festival was held Jan. 7. A total of 145 schools participated, along with each school's directors.

Slippery Rock was represented by Zane Cupec, John Dambaugh, Ryan McWherter and Brady Thompson.

They started out at Seneca Valley, the host school, but quickly many decisions had to be made. The rains came and the flooding of Connoquenessing Creek came. So, all the instrumentalists (160) and their instruments moved to Butler Intermediate High School.

The selection of music touched so many people's hearts. As I was sitting there, I could see people wiping their eyes.

Because of the war in Iraq, the songs had an extra-special meaning.

The songs included the "Star-Spangled Banner," "Salute to PMEA," "Who's Who In Navy Blue," "American Civil War Fantasy" and "Semper Fidelis."