Fellela's support invaluable for well-respected JSMA

DEB’S DRUMMERS: Among those JHS drummers who have benefited from state Rep. Deb Fellela securing grants to purchase djembes, enjoy a break during a recent class on Cherry Hill. The musicians are, in front from left, Kelsey Noriega, Tori Viau and Benjamin Monahan; second row, Olajide Roland, Kevin Saker and Gino Rizzo; and back row, Joshua Sanford, Nicholas Reagan, Jarad Trotter and Victoria Venditelli.

(Photo courtesy JSMA)

Posted Sunday, November 8, 2020 2:16 pm

By PETE FONTAINE

Deborah A. Fellela, who Tuesday was reelected to the District 43 seat in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, will tell you she’s not a musician but enjoys beating the drum for the Johnston Schools Music Association.

Fellela has done so, Johnston High School Music Department chairman Ronald Lamoureux wanted it known, “so that our music students wouldn’t have to work and learn on outdated equipment.”

“Until Rep. Fellela became one of the JSMA’s biggest boosters, some of our equipment was literally held together with duct tape,” Lamoureux said. “We needed an upgrade, especially for our percussion and marching units.”

So, as the highly-respected and long-time JHS music director went on, “The Johnston School Music Association worked tirelessly, [doing] fundraising that resulted in approximately $15,000 that brought us up to date with other school marching programs in the state.”

During recent years, the now famous JHS Marching Panther Band has performed in the Columbus Day Parade on Providence’s Federal Hill and has been invited to perform at the famed Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts, among others. The JSMA has been able to purchase newer, lighter and more affordable equipment because of Fellela’s efforts at the Rhode Island State House.

“Deb has been our MVM,” Lamoureux noted. “She’s our Most Valuable Musician … every member of the JSMA sincerely appreciates her work to obtaining those very, very valuable Rhode Island State Legislative Grants.”

During recent years, in fact, those grants have helped the JHS Music Department build its collection of what Lamoureux called “world percussion,” so that now each student in our drumming classes has their own instrument.

“We actually own nearly 20 djembes now and look forward to being a center in our state for study and cultivation of world music,” he said.

Fellela, who is a deputy majority leader and has also helped nonprofits such as the Johnston Historical Society, offered, “I really enjoy working for all the people and important organizations in our town. A lot of people we have one of the best music departments in the state; and these grants is a way to keep our student musicians on top!”