St. Cecilia Band hits all the right notes with middle-school students

By Kim Roberts
Clarion Herald, Kid's Clarion

Over the years, high school band director Michael Orkus noticed that not many middle schools offered band programs. He thought middle school students could benefit from a band program that was available across the archdiocese.

Taking its name from the patron saint of musicians and marching bands, the St. Cecilia Band is gearing up for its second year of introducing young students to the ins and outs of playing music in a school band.  

“Once I retired after more than 40 years of teaching and directing bands, I knew I had the time to fill the void that existed at the middle school level for those students who are interested in music by forming a band for the archdiocese,” Orkus said. “I had been retired for five years, but I wanted to stay involved in music as much as possible.

“Having been a music director most of my life, I knew this was something I could do. So, last year I started what I hope will evolve into an archdiocese-sponsored band program for kids from all schools to participate in. I want to expand the program this year.”

Registration for the St. Cecilia Band is now open for students in grades 5-7. Aspiring music students with any level of experience are welcome to join. Instruments utilized in the band are flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, electric bass and percussion instruments (snare and bells). 

Orkus plans to keep the band limited to 21 students initially.

“I just got a note the other day from a parent whose son plays tuba,” Orkus said. “I think they are buying a tuba for him because he played it at another school and just transferred here. So, we’re going to actually have a tuba player on board this year.”

All students are required to provide their own instruments, but Orkus is happy to help them arrange for rentals or direct them to places where they can purchase them outright.

Rehearsals are held at St. Christopher School in Metairie on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

“Last year we had about a dozen students who joined, and they were from St. Christopher, St. Angela, St. Matthew and St. Philip Neri schools,” Orkus said. “We got the word out by partnering with the Brother Martin High School band and performing at the various elementary schools to generate interest. This year, we’re hoping to build on that momentum 
and we’re depending on word of mouth to get more students excited about joining.”

Throughout his career, Orkus has spent time working in many roles. at Christian Brothers School, Holy Cross School, St. Paul’s School and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Kenner. And he has come out of retirement this year, taking over as band director at Christian Brothers.

It didn’t take much to convince Christian Brothers president Joey Scaffidi.

“I remember telling him that we had more than 300 boys on campus, and in those 300 boys, you know that there are a handful of actors, artists and musicians among them,” Orkus said. “And then I paused and said, ‘But most of them will never know it if we do not bring that talent out of them. We have to expose them to the arts and let them realize the gift that God has given them. They need to be given an opportunity to blossom. Sometimes if there is no exposure, the talent never comes out. That is why band is so important in the early grades.’”

Orkus believes the St. Cecilia Band will help strengthen the talent pool for those musicians entering high school band programs.

“This will be a good introduction,” he said.       

For more information or to sign up for the St. Cecilia Band, contact Orkus at [email protected]. The cost to participate ranges from $50 to $75, depending on the plan chosen.