Local Windham High graduates make an "appeal" By Lorraine Glowczak

Every small town community wants the best for their high school graduates. Brad Meader, a 2014 graduate of Windham High School and Jack Giampino, a 2015 graduate, are two of those individuals that make the Windham community proud with their musical talents and participation in the all-male cappella group, Orange Appeal, at Syracuse University. 

Currently a junior at Syracuse, Meader is the music director. “Orange Appeal has been a completely student-run organization since we were founded in 1997 and has earned numerous awards and recognition through the years,” Meader said. The music group is working hard to raise funds to cover necessary costs that go with recording, mixing, mastering, and production of professional music for an album they are creating.

“This year, we want to record a professional album that will allow us to share our music with the Windham community that brought Jack and I where we are today,” Meader explained.

Meader was deeply involved in music while at Windham High, participating as a chamber singer as well as a member in the Windham High School’s musicals for four years. “I also took music theory with Dr. Richard Nickerson, which taught me to arrange music and allowed me to later become 

Orange Appeal's music director,” Meader continued. “And, it was through my involvement with Windham's music scene that I met Jack Giampino, who ended up also coming to Syracuse and joining Orange Appeal!”

The music group’s goal is to raise $8,000 by March 2017. They have set up a gofundme account at www.gofundme.com2sa4rjas to help with their endeavor.

“Donations will fund critical recording process, and in return, donors can receive a digital copy of our new album, a social media shout out, Orange Appeal t-shirts, Orange Appeal hats and a personal thank you,” Meader explained.

Double majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience with a minor in vocal performance, Meader stated that the music organization consists of a diverse group of guys that includes future engineers, economists, designers, performers and politicians. They are hardworking and focused individuals, rehearsing from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. most nights, striving to create their musical precision and signature sounds.

“Jack and I have defined our collegiate experience through our involvement with Orange Appeal and we never would have even made it into the group without the musical background granted to us by Windham's incredible arts program,” Meader explained. “Orange Appeal is our creative outlet and we're beyond proud of the music we make with this group. Assuming we get the funds, Jack and I will also both be album soloists, so our album would allow us to bring our music back to the Windham community while simultaneously making Orange Appeal a nationally-recognized name.”

Whether it is $5 or $500, every donation counts. For more information on the group, a video explaining the group’s goals for the album, the different tiers of fundraising and to make a donation, visit www.gofundme.com/2sa4rjas.