By Michelle Donaghey Correspondent
BREMEN — The Bremen Schools band documentary planned for next year’s Bremen Alumni Reunion 2010 is getting there, but has a way to go, according to Patrick Donaghey, a junior at Bremen High School who is helping to coordinate the project at the request of Principal Bruce Jennings.
“I think the hardest thing is to get in touch with the people who have contacted me to be in it and to find people to help me film and to help me edit it,” said Donaghey, who said he has about four people he will be calling soon to set up interviews.

Donaghey hopes that former band members who have called after seeing his number in the Bremen Enquirer understand, as he has been very busy with his commitments to school, the Emerald Alliance marching band and jazz band, swing choir and a role in the fall school play.
“It has been challenging. I just got the list from my family recently!” said Donaghey.
He hopes that soon he will finish up the interviews and gather more material for the documentary with some help from students and possibly the community.
He asks that any other former band members and or family members contact him, especially those who are from the ’80s and ’90s, as he wishes to finish interviews very soon. Those who also have any kind of media that can be used in the documentary should call or e-mail.
“Pretty much any media that was involved in the band program for the years it was at the school and any other items we can scan or film we need,” said Donaghey.
A request is also being put out to the public to those who are familiar with computer editing to help with “technical editing.” Those who can may leave a message at 574-546-5610 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Any community member who may have a portable hard drive they could use is also greatly appreciated by Donaghey and those helping with the project).
Donaghey asked Bremen students Harley Sult, Nate Lockwood and Blaine Pearl to be part of the project coordination as well. The three students regularly help in the Bremen BTV studio at Bremen High School.
Student Danielle Hudson also helped Donaghey with the first interview of former band members Dean and Gretchen Kimble, adding that he is very appreciative of any and all help especially those who have already taken time to be interviewed and or to lend him their yearbooks and other band-related items.
On a personal level, Donaghey said hearing about the former Bremen Schools band program and what former band members have to say about the new program has been a very fun and learning experience for him.
“Actually hearing about the past and hearing about how the band was pretty large in the past and very involved in the town has been very inspiring to me,” he said, noting that the “best part has been finding out that the band was larger.
“Up until now it (school band) has been pretty small but we’re pretty good now and getting bigger now,” said Donaghey, who plays baritone saxophone.
He is looking forward to next year when the video will be shown at the Bremen All-Class Reunion in June.
“I hope that it turns out very nicely and that I can find out the full past of the band and for others to look forward to the future of it,” said Donaghey, who personally has goals for the film as well.
“I want to make sure it will be one of the best works of film. I hope that they like that they like what they see on the screen,” said the student, who has his own hopes for the future of the Bremen Schools Band Program.
“I hope the program gets larger and we get an orchestra-sized band,” said Donaghey.