On Saturday September 19th, the Deer Park High School (DPHS) Chamber Orchestra played on the battleship for Texian Navy day. Texian Navy Day celebrates the Navy in Texas, and all that it has done for our country. The battleship had a ceremony to celebrate this day, and invited the DPHS Orchestra to perform.
“Afterwards we had a group of veterans come up to us and tell us how it impacted them. Just the memory of being able to impact someone like that. That we were able to take music and share it with people, and say thank you for your service,” Violinist Mary Ashley Vance said.
This is only one of the many times that the orchestra has been invited to the Battleship. Under former Orchestra Director, Bud Woodruff, they were asked to go out and play, and after only a few performances were asked to become the official orchestra of the battleship. They play there about three times a year for different occasions and ceremonies. They perform patriotic music and old Navy hymns.
“The veterans are always really, really receptive to the music. It even brings some people to tears,” Orchestra Director Meghan Gomen said.
They will be playing Christmas carols on the Battleship, December 12 for Orchestra Weekend.