Riverside School District students perform at PNC Park
Over 200 students from Riverside School District in Beaver County recently performed at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Last fall, Debbie Cochenour, Riverside Beaver EA member and music teacher in the Riverside School District submitted DVD’s of her 5th and 6th grade choruses performing at a concert to the Pittsburgh Pirates, in hopes that the Pirates would select the chorus to sing the National Anthem at one of their home games. Her efforts were successful, and the students traveled to PNC Park in October. Fellow music teacher Dave Withrow and Cochenour joined the students on the field.
Due to technical difficulties, the 7th and 8th grade band could not accompany the chorus. "Although disappointed they could not use their instruments, many band members joined the chorus on the field. It was beautiful," Cochenour stated.
The Riverside PTO and Band Boosters helped to provide transportation for the chorus and band trip to PNC Park, raising money for five buses. "Our biggest fund raiser was selling heart-shaped lollipops during Valentine week as Valentine Grams which were distributed during the students’ lunch periods," noted Cochenour. "It was a lot of hard work but fun."
Nearly 500 parents, friends, students, administration and teachers attended the game to support the chorus and band.
"The Pirates were so impressed with our students that they asked them to sing next spring. Everyone is very excited about a repeat performance," Cochenour added. "We could not have done this without everyone's cooperation. Hopefully, we can do this cooperative activity every year. Working with parents, teachers, students and administration was a very positive experience for everyone."