Many musicians join for Burlison scholarship benefit
About 600 attend concert at Albion Middle School
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Nearly 20 musical acts performed on Friday night in a concert for the Wayne A. Burlison Memorial Scholarship. Burlison was an active member in several groups at the school district and also with community bands.
The top photo shows Albion native Travis Klossner, a member of The Hit Men in Rochester. Burlison performed in the group and played many different instruments for the band, which is popular at many local parades.
Burlison was 36 when he died from colon cancer last March 26. He was an elementary band teacher at Albion, and also worked with the marching band, jazz ensemble and other musical groups.
“He was very much loved and involved in a lot of things,” High School band director Mike Thaine told about 600 people who attended the concert. “This is a celebration of music in our schools and Wayne’s legacy was a love for music.”
An ensemble from the marching band, including Riley Seielstad on saxophone, performed early in the concert. The drum majors include Char Olick, left, and Meredith Patterson.
Burlison was a member of the Mark Time Marchers based in Churchville. Wayne wrote several of the band’s parade songs. His brother-in-law Bob Pastecki is the group’s leader.
Retired Albion instrumental teacher Mike Grammatico plays in a saxophone duet with his grandson Nate Grammatico, one of Burlison’s students.
Burlison was a member of the praise band at the Albion Free Methodist Church. Tom Smith and Linda Logan sing one of Burlison’s favorite songs, “Beautiful Things.”
Karen Conn (right), a music teacher and music therapist at the school, performs with her daughter Shannon Vanderlaan, a 2011 Albion grad and oboe major at The College of Saint Rose in Albany.
Albion music teachers perform in a jazz combo in this photo taken from the side of the stage. The group includes, from left: Greg Martillotta on drums, Lindsey Fix, Mike Thaine and Gary Simboli.
Megan Zambito, an elementary vocal teacher, and retired Albion teacher Alec Sherman sing, “Somewhere Out There.”
The Albion Alumni Foundation will manage the Burilson scholarship. The group is working to raise $10,000 to endow the scholarship. Another fund-raiser will be March 28 and includes another passion of Burlison’s: fitness.
The Albion Running Club is planning the “Run for Wayne” that will cover 3.17 miles and is open to walkers and runners. (A shorter course will also be available.) For more information, click here.
