The Artist in Residence (AIR) program at Hopewell was founded in 2006 by David Bufalini and has had a tremendous impact on the music program. From the beginning, the main goal was to expose students to world-class musicians in an attempt to retain current students and inspire others to get involved. Each year from 2006-2016, AIR provided Hopewell students the opportunity to work with and be coached by a professional musician and showcase their talent in a performance for the community.
Here are the past artists:
2006 – Ms. Sarah Morrow
2007 – Mr. Ralph Lalama
2008 – Ms. Etta Cox
2009 – Dr. Stephen Hawk
2010 – Mr. B.E. Taylor
2011 – Mr. Dave Keim
2012 – Mr. George Perilli
2013 – Mr. Billy Evanochko (lead singer of Billy the Kid and the Regulators)
2014 – Mr. Jimmie Ross (of the Jaggerz)
2015 – Trinity Jazz Orchestra
2016 – Mr. Mike Williams
Proceeds from these performances were used to provide countless instruments to the junior high and high school instrumental programs and as a result, no student is ever turned away from joining the band if their family is not able to afford an instrument. "It is such a blessing to have this program in our district. Any student who wants to join band is able to. I have lost count of the number of students over the years who have benefitted from AIR instrument donations. I am truly thankful for all of the hundreds of hours that Dave Bufalini has spent developing and implementing this program at Hopewell" - Kerry Wilson, Jr. High Band Director/Music Department Chair.
Elementary students have also greatly benefitted from AIR. The program has put so many instruments in the hands of young students. "Over the years, they have received recorders, ukuleles, and new keyboards through the generous donations of this program. We greatly appreciate the AIR program and Dave Bufalini's generous donations!" - Jenny Kobaly, Elementary Music Teacher.
2017 marked the beginning of the current Artist in Residence tradition - the Holly Jolly Concert! This concert takes place at Hopewell High School each December and is funded solely by donations from individuals and businesses. Proceeds from these yearly events have continued to enhance the overall music program in the Hopewell Area School District. "The instruments donated to our music program are essential to our performance ensembles. Our brand new marching drums have allowed us to host an Alumni Band for the first time in ages. The guitars purchased in partnership with the school district have created opportunities for students outside of our performance ensembles to tune their musical abilities. Countless students in our jazz and concert ensembles utilize the donated AIR instruments" - Kit Keiper, High School Band Director. Thanks to AIR, all students can have the gift of music at Hopewell.