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Instructional Administrator
for Music
Lori Hershenhart, Ed.D.
518-861-8591, ext. 1106
Visit the links below for a brief description of the music program by building-level:
Music news and announcements
GUILDERLAND SINGS! - TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 - 7 PM - HS NEW GYM
The
Guilderland District is proud to present “Guilderland Sings” - a district
wide choral concert with special guest conductor and clinician, Mrs. Diane
Warner. The concert will bring together over 800 Guilderland vocalists, in
grades 4-12, who will sing with their grade level ensembles and combine
together for a massed finale. Joining the Guilderland choirs on this
special event will be the Capital District Youth Chorale (CDYC). Join us
for a spectacular event!
Click here for more
information
click
here to sponsor this event
Guilderland Ensembles Attend NYSSMA Majors Evaluation Festival
Five Guilderland music ensembles will be attending the Majors Evaluation Festivals. At these events, students and their teachers receive constructive comments provided by two adjudicators/judges who assess specific performance criteria. These performances are open to the public and parents may attend. Good luck to the following groups and their teachers:
GHS Wind Ensemble - Kathleen Ehlinger, director - Wednesday, April 24th at Averill Park HS @ 10:30 a.m.
FMS 8th Grade Band - Jenn Austin, director - Tuesday, April 30th at Shaker HS @ 2:45 p.m.
FMS 7th Grade Orchestra - Kristy Dame, director- Tuesday, April 30th at Shaker HS @ 3:30 p.m.
FMS 6th Grade Chorus - Terri Mewhorter, director - Thursday, May 2nd at Bethlehem HS @ 9:45 a.m.
FMS Select Choir - Terri Mewhorter, director - Thursday, May 2nd at Bethlehem HS @ 10:45 a.m.
Pizzeria Uno Fundraiser for GMPFA – May 6, 2013
The Guilderland Music Parents and Friends
Association, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), is holding a fund raising event on
Monday, May 6th at Uno, Chicago Grill at Crossgates Mall. On that day, Uno
will donate up to 20% of all proceeds that use a voucher identifying the
GMPFA. The voucher is good for lunch or dinner and can be used for
take-out meals.
The Music Parents funds musical opportunities for Guilderland students of
all ages. Small music ensembles will be performing in the mall area during
this event. come support Guilderland musicians!
Click here for a voucher coupon!
March Is Music In Our Schools Month!
In
celebration of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM®), the Guilderland School
District is proud to announce a month full of events demonstrating
excellence in music education.
Several student ensembles will perform at the Empire State Plaza. On
Tuesday, March 26th, the Farnsworth Middle School Select Choir (under
the direction of Terri Mewhorter) will perform in the South Concourse at
1:15 p.m. On Wednesday, March 27th, the Farnsworth Middle School Select Band
(under the direction of Mrs. Jenn Austin) and the FMS Jazz Ensemble (under
the direction of Mr. Jason Utter) will perform in the South Concourse at
12:15 p.m. The concerts are free and open to the public and serves to
impart the importance of providing a comprehensive music education.
March 20th is the annual Cabaret at FMS, featuring the Jazz and Stage
Bands from the Middle and High Schools. Students demonstrate their
creativity through improvisation; the instantaneous creation of music in
the moment. Spring concerts round out the month with Lynnwood Elementary
(3/21), Altamont Elementary (3/27), and Pine Bush Elementary (3/27).
March also features student theatrical productions Farnsworth Middle
School MASK presents “Thoroughly Modern Mille” from March 8-10, and the
Guilderland Players presents “South Pacific” from March 14-17.
Music In Our Schools Month is a nationwide event saluting excellence in
music education. MENC: The National Association for Music Education
sponsors this annual event, which focuses national attention on the
importance of music in our schools. “Music Education — Orchestrating
Success” is the official slogan for Music In Our Schools Month® 2013.
Participation in music classes provides lifelong benefits. Through
singing, playing instruments, and composing, students learn to express
themselves creatively. Studying music provides a deeper understanding of
historical and cultural heritages. We invite you to witness excellence at
every developmental stage of music education. Learn what’s happening in
the music programs in your school and community!
25 Students Selected for the Suburban Council Music Festival
The
Suburban Scholastic Council Music Festival will be held at Ballston Spa
High School on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Over three hundred talented music
students were selected from the thirteen Suburban Council schools. The
groups performing this year include a Middle School Band, Chorus and
Orchestra as well as a High School Jazz Band.
The Guilderland music department is pleased to announce that 25 students
were selected by audition to participate. Performing in the Symphony
Orchestra will be: Chloe Stevens and Allegra Wu – Flute, Abby Bemis –
Oboe, Angelo Amore and William Wang – Clarinet, Albert Zhong – Bassoon,
Adrian Zajac – Trumpet, Joel Anthony – Trombone, Katherine Wallace – Cello
and Ryan Dempsey – Bass.
The Concert Band includes Farnsworth middle school students: Kelly
Wuthrich – Flute, Treasa Powathil – Oboe, Amelia Dunn, Isabella Wu –
Clarinet, Avery Heaney - Alto Sax, Mary Kate Sweeney – Trumpet, Dan Bemis
– Horn, Angus Cropley, Hugh Smith and Jason Sindoni – Tuba and Belen
Marriaga – Percussion.
Vocalists selected to sing with the Concert Choir under the direction of
Mrs. Diane Warner include: Meg Fitzpatrick, Natalie Russo, Abby Ryan, and
Marissa Scotti. Mrs. Warner will also be the guest conductor for the
Guilderland district wide Vocal Festival in May.
Leonard Bopp was selected to play the lead trumpet part in the High School
Jazz Ensemble, led by Mike Titlebaum noted jazz educator and performer
from Ithaca College.
Congratulations to all these fine young musicians and their teachers: Jenn
Austin, Nancy Casellini, Susan Curro, Shannon deFrancqueville, Kathleen
Ehlinger, Lee Russo, and Jason Utter. The concert on Saturday, April 13,
2013 at Ballston Spa High School begins at 2:00 p.m. and is free and open
to the public.
GUILDERLAND HS ANNOUNCES CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNER!
Each
year the Guilderland High School music department holds a concerto
competition. With so many talented students throughout the department the
choice is difficult and highly competitive. The winner of this competition
gains the privilege of a spring solo performance with one of the large
ensembles. This year the music department is pleased to announce that
junior Michelle Kang, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Inbong Kang of Guilderland,
won the competition on violin.
Michelle won the competition with an impressive performance of the Barber
Violin Concerto, Opus 14. She will next perform the Sérénade mélancolique
by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky accompanied by
the High School Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday, May 29, 2013. The concert
will also feature performances by the GHS vocal ensembles
and will take place in the auditorium beginning
at 7:30 p.m.
GHS Music Department presents "POPS SWINGS IN!"
This annual concert held on Saturday, February 2, 2013, features
performances by all of the high school music ensembles – over 350 talented
students – in the Choirs, Bands, Orchestras and Jazz Band. This year, small
vocal and instrumental ensembles will also be performing.
This event is the major fund raiser for the music
booster organization, the Guilderland Music Parents and Friends
Association. The Music Parents use all funds raised from the Pops Concert
to provide scholarships, enrichment activities, assembly programs, guest
clinicians, and other resources for students of every age throughout the
Guilderland school district.
For this concert, the High School New Gym is decorated
and set with tables and chairs. Eighth grade waiters and waitresses serve
light refreshments that are available for purchase.
Come enjoy the music of “2013 Pops Swings In!” on
Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 pre-sale and $7 at
the door with table seats available on a first come, first served basis.
Tickets are available for purchase in the school store at the high school,
or contact Guilderland Music Supervisor Lori Hershenhart at 861-8591 ext.
1106 or email hershenhartl@guilderlandschools.org for
tickets or additional information.
CLICK HERE FOR A POPS SPONSOR FORM. CLICK HERE FOR A POPS TICKET ORDER FORM.
Ith
acappella
Returns to Guilderland
Ithacappella , all-male a cappella group from Ithaca College, returns to share their talents with students in Guilderland. This auditioned student led ensemble, has toured extensively bringing an exciting show of popular selections to share with audiences of all ages.
The Guilderland Music Department with generous funding from the Guilderland Music Parents and Friends Association ((a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization) will host 2 elementary assemblies and a middle school clinic.
In the evening, on Friday, January 4, 2013,
Ithacappella will present an evening concert at Guilderland High School
beginning at 7 p.m. Admission to this event is $3 for adults and $2 for
students. Tickets are available at the door.
Music Students Performed at Barnes and Noble Fundraiser in Colonie Center
On Saturday, December 1, Barnes and Noble donated a portion of all sales of books, media, and café items from throughout the day to the Guilderland Music Parents. These funds will be used to support music students across the district.
Performances included small ensembles from the elementary, FMS and HS as well as the HS Chamber Choir.
If you were unable to attend the event, but would still like to support GMPFA through your Barnes and Noble purchases, you can do so on-line from Saturday, December 1 through Thursday, December 6, 2012. Both in-store and online purchases are eligible for the donation. Visit BN.COM/bookfairs and use Bookfair ID 10946549 Download on-line purchasing instructions
Download a printable voucher to identify yourself as a supporter of Guilderland Music
Guilderland High School Recognized Grammy Semi-Finalist
The Guilderland Music Department is proud
to announce that Guilderland High School has been recognized as a 2013
Grammy Signature School semi-finalist. This designation and honor is based
upon the quality and caliber of the music education program in the school.
As the Grammy award signifies excellence in recording, the Signature
Schools award is designed to honor exceptional public high school music
programs.
Twenty- one New York high schools were recognized among the top 125 high
schools in the nation. Semi-finalists are invited to submit recorded
performances and repertoire lists to vie for these prestigious awards. In
addition to the available monetary grants, winners receive school visits
from Grammy award wining artists.
Congratulations to the entire district wide music faculty for contributing
to this achievement. Good luck to the high school music faculty, Susan
Curro, Kathleen Ehlinger, Lee Russo and Rae Jean Teeter, with the recorded
submissions.
Guilderland Students selected for the Area All State Music Festival
This
year 14 Guilderland High School students were selected to perform in the
Area All-State Music Festival on November 16h and 17th at Saratoga Springs
High School. These outstanding ensembles consist of students chosen from a
nine county area including Albany, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery,
Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington counties.
Competitive selection to these groups is based upon the score received by
the students’ during the previous spring at the NYSSMA solo evaluation
festival.
The Concert Band under the direction of Martin Allen and will include:
Joseph Sipzner, Kathleen O’Mara – flute, Greg Eckhardt – bassoon, Luke
Anthony – alto sax, Samuel Diedrich, Andrew Dame - trumpet and Joel
Anthony - trombone.
Singing in the Chorus under the direction of Dr. Anthony Maglione, Choral
Director at William Jewell College, will be: Leonard Bopp, Dayle Carhart,
Courtland Ingraham, Skylar Mead, and Karissa Murray.
The Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Rachel Lauber, Eastman
Community Music School, will include: Therese Giordano-French Horn and
Jacob McGrath- trumpet.
The concert will be held on Saturday, November 17th beginning at 2 p.m. in
the Saratoga High School auditorium. This outstanding performance is open
to the public and tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior
citizens.
Congratulations to all our talented young musicians, their families and
their music teachers, Mrs. Susan Curro, Mrs. Kathleen Ehlinger, Mr. Lee
Russo, and Mrs. Rae Jean Teeter.
Guilderland Recital Raises Funds for Flood Victims – 10/24/12
The
Guilderland Music Faculty and Tri-M music honor society will present a
combined recital on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 in the high school
auditorium at 7:00 p.m. This enjoyable evening features performances by
teachers from every grade level, students and community members. From Pop
to Jazz, Classical to Contemporary; there is something for everyone to
appreciate. This delightful evening gives students and the community an
opportunity to listen to their teachers in a different role as performers.
Highlighted on the program will be both vocal and instrumental ensemble
performances.
While there is no admission for this event, each year donations are
collected and given to a charitable organization. This year funds raised
will given to SALT (Schoharie Area Long Term), a regional not-for-profit
that is coordinating the recovery efforts for those devastated by the
recent flooding. Checks may be made payable to: SALT, PO Box 77,
Schoharie, NY 12157
Come enjoy of evening of outstanding musical entertainment and help
Guilderland raise funds for those in need! For more information about the
recital, contact Guilderland Music Supervisor Lori Hershenhart at 861-8591
ext. 1106.
Guilderland Students Selected as Artist Apprentices
Three
Guilderland High School vocal students have been selected to participate
in the fall 2012 Albany Pro Musica Apprenticeship Program. Casie Girvin,
Skylar Mead and Michael Janower will be singing with this vocal ensemble
and the Albany Symphony Orchestra on October 13 and 14, 2012 at the Troy
Savings Bank Music Hall. This concert includes two choral masterpieces:
Bach Magnificat for five soloists and five-part chorus, and Corigliano’s
Fern Hill, a lyrical setting of Dylan Thomas’ poem about his pastoral
boyhood.
Tickets are available at the Albany Symphony Orchestra Box Office (518)
465-4755 or on line at www.albanysymphony.com. Congratulations to these
outstanding students and their vocal teacher, Mrs. Rae Jean Teeter for
this recognition of excellence in vocal performance.
Additional information is available at
http://www.albanypromusica.org/season/.
Guilderland Students Selected for All-State Ensembles
Tri-M Induction Ceremony and Recital
On Wednesday, May 16th, 20 new members were
inducted into the Tri-m Music Honor Society. This international music
honor society is designed to recognize students for their academic and
musical achievements, reward them for their accomplishments and service
activities, and to inspire other students to excel at music and
leadership. Congratulations to: Alexander Benninger, Megan Crouse, Chelsea
Donnelly, Greg Eckhardt, Anisha Ghosh, Casie Girvin, Michael Janower,
Erick Kopff, Jin Lee, Hannah Liu, Hayley Mattice, Jake McGrath, Skylar
Mead, Karissa Murray, Kathleen O’Mara, Tony Pitkin, Brian Root, Nigel
Simmons, Leia Smith, and Michaela Tersmette.
Each year, the Tri-M chapter selects an honoree for their dedication to
music education. This year's recipient, Mrs. Pam Travers is an active
music parent and has given countless hours of volunteering and support to
Guilderland students.
Click here to listen to the recital click here to see the guilderland chapter on the national site
Click below to see pictures of this event!
Spring Orchestra Festival and Conductor Residency
This year the spring music festival will feature the students of the Guilderland Orchestral Program in a combined concert performance with students from grades 5– 12. This will be the culmination of a three day residency with Maestro Pierclaudio Fei, conductor of the Geminiani Orchestra of Florence, Italy.
Maestro
Fei will be conducting clinics and workshops with students and teachers in
the instrumental ensembles at Farnsworth Middle School and Guilderland
High School. The residency will culminate with a combined performance with
Maestro Fei guest conducting many of the selections. The concert will be
held at 7:30 p.m. in the High School New Gym on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. We
are very excited to bring this talented conductor to Guilderland, to work
with our students and teachers, and look forward to this inspiring musical
experience.
Click here for the
guest conductor's bio
click here
to sponsor this event
GUILDERLAND HS ANNOUNCES CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNER!
Each
year the Guilderland High School music department holds a concerto
competition. With so many talented students throughout the department the
choice is difficult and highly competitive. The winner of this competition
gains the privilege of a spring solo performance with one of the large
ensembles. This year the music department is pleased to announce that
senior Sharon Lin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.Hung-Yun Lin of Schenectady,
won the competition.
Sharon played an impressive performance of the Cello Concerto No. 1 by
Dmitri Shostavovich. She will now play this solo at the high school
concert on June 7, 2012 accompanied by the high school Symphony Orchestra.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and also feature performances by the
Concert Orchestra and the Wind Ensemble.
8 Guilderland Students Recognized for the NYS Band Director's Honor Bands
Eight Guilderland students have been selected to participate in the New York
State Honor Bands in March 2012. Each year from hundreds of applicants,
Honor Band members are chosen based upon their NYSSMA score from the
previous spring. Each ensemble rehearses and performs during the NYS Band
Directors annual Symposium held at the Syracuse Convention Center.
Performing with the Middle School Honor Band, will be
8th grade students Angelo Amore, clarinet, Salil Chaudry, percussion,
Andrew Dame, trumpet, Will Wang, clarinet, and Allegra Wu, flute. Sarah
Jones was recognized as an alternate for the ensemble. These students will
be playing under the direction of Dr. Deborah Sheldon, Professor of Music
Education at Temple University. Sam Diedrich, trumpet, and Hannah Liu,
oboe, will be playing in the High School Honor Band
under the direction Dr. Peter Boonshaft, Professor of Music at Hofstra
University.
Selection to these prestigious ensembles demonstrates
exceptional musicianship and is an outstanding accomplishment.
Congratulations to these fine young players, and their teachers, Mrs.
Kathleen Ehlinger, Mr. Lee Russo and Mr. Jason Utter.
Students Selected as Artist Apprentices
Five Guilderland High School vocal students have been selected to
participate in the Albany Pro Musica Artist Apprenticeship Program. Enaw
Elonge, Casie Girvin, Michael Janower, Clare Ladd, and Skylar Mead will be
singing with this vocal ensemble later in the spring. Congratulations to
the students and their vocal teachers, Mrs. Nancy Casellini and Mrs. Rae
Jean Teeter for this recognition of an outstanding music education
program.
Click
here for performance and ticket
information.
Guilderland Student Selected for ACDA Honor Choir
The Guilderland Music Department is proud to announce that Junior Michael
Janower has been selected to participate in the American Choral Director's
Association All-Eastern High School Honor Choir in Providence, RI on
February 16-19, 2012. Michael is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Griggs-Janower
of Schenectady. Selection to this prestigious ensemble is difficult with
students chosen from eight states stretching from Maine to Maryland.
This honor is a result of an audition tape that Michael
prepared last spring. Michael will sing under the direction of Dr. Pearl
Shangkuan who is a professor at Calvin College and chorus master of the
Grand Rapids Symphony.
Congratulations to Michael and his teacher, Mrs. Rae
Jean Teeter on this outstanding accomplishment.
Guilderland Students Selected for ACDA Honor Choirs
The Guilderland music department is pleased to announce that fifty-eight students were selected to participate in the New York American Choral Directors Association Elementary and Middle School Honor Choirs this summer. The ensembles will rehearse and perform during the NYACDA Symposium held as part of the NYSSMA summer conference at the Albany Crowne Plaza hotel. Click here for more information.
Guilderland Named in "Best Communities for Music Education"
For the fourth consecutive year, the exemplary music program in Guilderland and the widespread support the community has for arts education has been recognized.
Click here for more information.
GHS Names Concerto Competition Winner - Amanda Dame
Each
year the Guilderland High School music department holds a concerto
competition. With so many talented students throughout the department the
choice is difficult and highly competitive. The winner of this competition
gains the privilege of a spring solo performance with one of the large
ensembles. This year the music department is pleased to announce that
junior Amanda Dame, daughter of Kristy and Jim Dame of Altamont, won the
competition.
Amanda played a fully memorized and impressive performance of Gordon Jacob’s Concerto for Flute and Strings. She will now play a movement from the Mozart Flute Concerto at the high school concert on Thursday, June 2, 2011 accompanied by the high school Chamber String Orchestra. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and also feature performances by the Concert Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra.
Join the Guilderland Music
Parents and Friends
Please consider becoming a member of the
Guilderland Music Parents and Friends. Your support both with your time and
through a donation would be greatly appreciated.
Learn more
Musical
instruments needed
The Guilderland Music Department is seeking donations of musical
instruments, in particular low woodwinds (bass clarinet, bassoon, tenor
sax) and low brass instruments (baritone, tuba, trombone). If you have any
instrument you are no longer using, please consider making a
tax-deductible donation of the instrument to the district. For more
information, please contact
Lori Hershenhart, music supervisor, at 518-861-8591, ext. 1106.
