
Photo by Eugene Driscoll
(Photo taken on Halloween)Derby High School students with (front row) Sal Coppola, a bass drum, Carmen DiCenso, and teacher Donata Lupacchino
DERBY — Percussionists in Derby High School’s rejuvenated pep band picked up two new drums this year thanks to the generosity of strangers.
Last month the school received a new, Derby red Yamaha bass drum. It cost $665. The bill was picked up by members of the Derby High School Class of 1969.
Two people from that class, Carmen DiCenso and Sal Coppola, were at the school on Halloween to see the pep band practice.
Members of the class of ‘69 decided to help out the school after celebrating their 50th class reunion over the Labor Day weekend.
“I saw something online or on Twitter saying the band was looking for money for a bass drum,” DiCenso said. “I thought I’d make a donation, then I thought —’Wwait, why don’t we do it a class and make it a gift from the 1969’?”
As a kid DiCenso, a former Derby High School football coach, was in the Cyclones, a drum and bugle corps in Derby. He was in the drama club in high school.
Coppola was in the band before graduating Derby High School in 1969.
His instrument? Bass drum.
“I loved it. Those were the best times in high school for me — in the music room with (music teachers) Ralph Chiarella and Don DeFala. Mr. Chiarella composed music. He was a very gifted guy.”
Don DeFala, by the way, is the father of Anthony DeFala, the city’s former director of public works. He was a great teacher, and made a big impact on students, Coppola and DiCenso said.
Donata Lupacchino is the band, chorus, and music teacher at Derby High School. She’s been there four years. She teaches at the middle school across the street, too.
The pep band re-launched this year to play in the stands at Derby football and basketball games. There’s about 28 students in band — but some of the equipment is old.
There are chimes and timpani in the music department that have been there since the high school opened in 1969.
The school previous bass drum was showing its age. The shells tend to warp and rot over time. The new bass drum gives the kids a sense of pride, in addition to sounding better.
“We’re just beyond grateful to the class of 1969,” Lupacchino said.
As school started this year, Lupacchino used the website DonorsChoose to raise $640 to purchase a new snare drum for the pep band. She spread the word on social media, and the public donated the full amount within a day or two.
Donors included a former band member, a teacher, and the owner of Apollo Pizza on Roosevelt Drive.
Meanwhile, DiCenso said his classmates from 1969 plan to make a gift every year to help projects at the high school.
“The idea is that everyone throws in $20 and we’ll find something to support in the school, whether it’s the sports program, whether it’s the band, whether it’s drama, whatever it is, it’s about giving back,” DiCenso said.
Lupacchino hopes the band program keeps growing. The 28 kids this year is the largest in a decade. At the middle school, 77 kids are in the program in grades six through eight.