March 28, 2024

The Covid 19 Tailgate Holiday Concert was held on December 4th 2020 at Dighton Rehoboth High School

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A Christmas time like nothing we’ve ever experienced.

So many life events changed or cancelled completely.

But, for the students of Dighton Rehoboth High School Marching Band and Chorus there was a ray of hope.

A possible chance to make things as close to normal as we could.

While keeping everyone safe.

The DR Marching Band and Chorus decided to push through, and persevere.

With Dean of Students and show producer Doug Kelley at the helm, he called on his old band staff to help him put together a show that would stun parents and administrators alike.

He decided to attempt to perform the Transiberian Orchestra’s Carol of the Bells.

No small feat!

With Joe Botelho, now band Director playing guitar, Shawn Urban running audio, and Matt Earle lighting designer , Guard staff Emily Cloutier and Grace Wilson perfecting dance and motion , Will Silva and Jon Duncan working hard with the drum-line and Michelle Horner directing the from ensemble, Kelley figured he couldn't lose.

Heck this band has traveled multiple times to Walt Disney World. Performed for President Obama in Washington DC, played for Tom Brady with Best Buddies and performed with the rock band “The Who”!

He also added a huge light show, got singers, Colorguard members, and within three weeks pulled together something epic!

“Everyone was pulling in the same direction”!

That was the magic.

A performance SO big their video got 15,000 hits in two days!

“The Rhode Show has contacted me, and we are hoping to get this performance live to them before the Christmas season is over.

Other News stations contacted Mr. Kelley as well to when they could get to see this great performance.

But, due to the pandemic, this awesome show was primarily for private eyes only.

“We gathered only 50 cars where the parents either tailgated or sat in their vehicles”.

“The band drill was written to keep each band member 6 feet apart.

The brass and woodwind players all covered their instruments with masks as well”.

The audience beeped their cars horns for approval.

Many with tears in their eyes knowing how much this meant in such a trying time.

The possibility of only having this one show was weighing on the minds of everyone that night.

The Dighton Rehoboth Marching Band would like to thank all of those who made this night a reality.

We hope you enjoy the pictures, the video, and the smiles on the kids’ faces, because history was made on that night of December 4, 2020.

And hopefully never again.

The DR Marching band sends a huge THANK YOU to our Superintendent is Schools Dr. Anthony Azar for his incredible support throughout the years and a Mr. Todd Pilling our Board of Health Director who safely got us through the last 9 months here at DR.

Douglas Kelley

Dean of Student Activities and Athletics

Dighton Rehoboth Regional High School

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