Valparaiso High School held its 55th Annual Ham Dinner, November 9, 2011, in support of the Valparaiso High School Band. Several band members came out to lend support either taking tickets, serving or cleaning up the tables.
Before their 5pm shift of serving and clearing tables, sophomores and saxophone players Josh Abatie and Jacob Wierman played on the piano to get inspired. Senior Kaleb Hagen (trumpet) quickly moved into action along with junior Rich Wilkerson (trumpet) in helping behind the scenes. Seniors Abby Timmons (flute) and Haley Staples (Band President, bass clarinet), happily collected the many yellow tickets that were sold, along with Junior Andy Kahrs (tuba) collecting the take-out tickets.
Director of Bands Daniel R. Pritchett was helping to direct the dinner that night. Pritchett said, “It’s the 55th Annual Dinner and we try to run a good dinner for everyone.” Annually, the Ham Dinner fundraiser brings in about $10,000 for the Valparaiso High School Band Department. The money raised will help with purchasing of uniforms, instruments and entry fees for contests.
Pritchett said, “The state finals contest is one thing we always look forward to. Right now I am looking for the most exciting and most difficult piece we can play.”
The money that is raised also helps to pay for band members to stay overnight, if it is necessary, for the state finals or to pay, if it is necessary, to rent that most exciting piece of music.
Pritchett commented on the band parent association saying, “We have a great band parent association and that makes teaching pleasant for our staff and for me.” He added, “One of my favorite things is running into band parents from the past. Up until 5 years ago we had some that had never missed a year.”
Some special guests that attended were Eileen Brychelle, grandmother to senior and 1st chair flute and piccolo player, Taylor Brychelle. She attended with Jean Molengraft and Jackie Moore, whose daughters Jackie and Regina were saxophone players at VHS in the early 1980’s. “Jackie was 2nd chair all-state Class 1981 and Regina, Class of 1983, was a very fine saxophonist,” said Pritchett. Moore’s husband was also the VHS Band president in the late 1970’s.
Brychelle said, “I just came to have dinner.” Attendees were served sliced ham, green beans and all the trimmings.