Past band members reunite for encore performance

Contributed photo
WE’RE WITH THE BAND — Recent graduates Annie Nickerson, left, and Chelsi Murray, middle  join the “most experienced” alumni member David Flemington Friday evening at the Houlton High School girls  basketball game. The alumni band typically reunites to play one basketball game. Long-time HHS band director David McGillicuddy is shown behind.

    HOULTON — On Friday night, more than 45 past members of the Houlton High School band performed at the Houlton girls versus Madawaska basketball game. Many fans were pleased with the great sound and energetic display of talent that was generated from the alumni band.
    The dedicated individuals gathered for one hour to rehearse 12 pieces for the pre-game and halftime festivities. The most experienced alumni were David Flemington class of 1951 and Mike Clark class of 1954. This year’s family award went to the Sewell family represented by three members, Jill Hutchinson Sewell and daughters Franny and Lizz. Our furthest traveled alum were Justin Henderson, on break from his job in Guam and Liz Gartley on break from her job in Samoa.
    The Alumni band had a variety of classes represented, with the greatest response in percentage returning from the class of 2008.  The class of 2009 had the most number of returning members with nine.  Current HHS band members Chelsi Murray and Isaac Brown also volunteered to play.
    The band was treated to dinner by the SAD 29 Music Boosters under the organization efforts of Peggy McGary and Sherri Targonski and their crew of volunteers.
    The next performance of the alumni band is tentatively scheduled during the HHS alumni gala week focused around the July 4 celebrations in Houlton. Former band director David McGillicuddy and current band leader Joe Fagnant are both looking forward to the Alumni Band gathering this summer and also hope that more alumni come out to play at a basketball game in January in 2011.
    The following alumni participated: Dave Flemington ’51, Michael Clark ’54, Gary Bossie ‘57, Bob Ellis ’61, Penny Saunders Nevers ’61, Dave McGillicuddy ’62, Jerry Riley ‘63, Brian Longstaff ‘77, Brittany (Henderson) Benn ‘79, Jill (Hutchinson) Sewell ’79, Carol (Murray) Kiesman ‘82, Becky Reed ‘86, Fred Grant ’88, Nan Mills ‘90, Jamie Sewell ‘00, Alicia Jewell-Fowle ‘01, Doug Anderson ‘02, Justin Henderson ‘03, Liz Gartley ‘03, Claire Thompson ‘04, Heidi Sattler ‘04, Alisha Targonski ‘05, Tyler Rowe ‘05, Adam Brown ’05, Matt Cummings ’05, Franny Sewell ’06, Andrew Larson ‘07, Lizz Sewell ’07, Jake McFarland ’07, Curtis Libby ’07, Jerusha Benn ’07, Max Rush ‘08, Mike Libby ‘08, Mike Flewelling ‘08, Jenny Beasley ‘08, Bethany Targonski ‘08, Emily McGary ‘09, Annie Nickerson ‘09, Finn Mead ‘09, Kelsey Theriault ‘09, Derek Thomas ‘09,  Justin Haggerty ‘09, Ellie Widhalm ‘09, Dustin Delano ‘09, Robert Stairs ‘09.