Keeping with tradition, the Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron Steel Band will perform at this year’s Annual NAMIWalks Summit County on Saturday, Sept. 21. The band will play at 8:45 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at The University of Akron Field House, 289 S. Union St., Akron. Now in its 19th year, the event supports mental health for all.
The 19-member Steel Band will present a song lineup that includes “Clocks” (Coldplay), “Radioactive” (Imagine Dragons), “Zombie” (The Cranberries), “I Gotta Feeling,” (Black Eyed Peas), and classic favorites such as “Crazy Train” (Ozzy Osbourne), “Firework” (Katy Perry) and others.
”I am excited for the opportunity because it provides the students with a venue to showcase their hard work and talents,” says Principal Ralph Grant. “It also highlights our tremendous Steel Band Director Mrs. Reymond, who does fabulous work with our students, meeting them at their musical level and giving them an opportunity for growth and to build confidence, which carries over to all aspects of their lives.”
Band Director Melanie Reymond (Stoll) describes her Steel Band musicians as ready to learn and hone their musical chops.
“The group is very young this year and they seem to be very excited about the opportunity to play,” she says. “They have all been working so hard since the school year began … [and] were eager to hit the ground running from Day One.”