+++
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
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.
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
Monday, March 12th, 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 12:25
p.m. On Monday, March 26th, the Guilderland High School Chamber Choir
(under the direction of Mrs. Rae Jean Teeter) will perform in the South
Concourse at 11:30 a.m. The concerts are free and open to the public and
serves to impart the importance of providing a comprehensive music
education.
In March we welcome touring collegiate ensembles including the Bowling
Green State University Men's Chorus on March 5th at GHS @ 7:30 p.m. with
the HS Chamber Choir opening the concert, the Fredonia Brass Ensemble on
March 7th at FMS @ 2:00 p.m. and the Potsdam Pitches (acapella group) on
March 16th @ 9:00 a.m.
March 21st 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
(3/26), Westmere Elementary (3/27), Pine Bush Elementary (3/28) and
Farnsworth Middle School (3/29) 8th Grade Band & Chorus and 6th Grade
Orchestra.
March also features student theatrical productions Farnsworth Middle
School MASK presents “Fiddler on the Roof” from March 9-11, and the
Guilderland Players presents “Hairspray” from March 15-18.
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. This year’s theme is “Music Lasts a
Lifetime”.
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!
GHS Music Department presents "POPS Salutes Classic Rock"
This annual
concert held on Saturday, February 4, 2012, features performances by all
of the high school music ensembles – over 400 talented students – in the
Choirs, Bands, Orchestras and Jazz Band. This year, small vocal and
instrumental ensembles will also be performing as well as several of the
high school rock bands.
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 “2012 Pops Salutes Classic
Rock” on Saturday, February 4, 2012 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.
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.
Students Selected for the Suburban Council Music Festival
The Suburban Scholastic Council Music Festival will be
held at Columbia High School on Saturday, January 14, 2012. Over three
hundred talented music students were selected from the thirteen Suburban
Council schools. The groups performing this year include a High School
Band, Chorus and Orchestra as well as a Middle School Jazz Band.
The Guilderland music department is pleased to announce that 27 students
were selected to participate. Performing in the Symphony Orchestra under
the direction of conductor Bill Mercer from West Genesee High School ,
will be Enaw Elonge, Graham Lerch- violins, Michelle Xiong- cello, Hannah
Liu – oboe, and Sam Diedrich - trumpet.
The Concert Band under the direction of conductor Matthew Marsit, Director
of the Dartmouth College Wind Symphony, will include: Justina Liu, Emily
Schlierer, Joey Sipzner - flute, Julia Slezak – clarinet, Greg Eckhardt –
bassoon, Luke Anthony - saxophone, Leonard Bopp, Alexis Donnelly, Jake
McGrath – trumpet, Therese Giordano - horn, and Petey Pezzulo – tuba.
Vocalists selected to sing with the Concert Choir under the direction of
John Fleischman (SUNY Buffalo) include: Greg Adams, Dayle Carhart,
Rosamaria Cirelli, Courtland Ingraham, Michael Janower, Jin Lee, Skylar
Mead, Kathleen O’Mara, Chris Raber, and Geoffrey Snow.
Joe Giordano, trombone will represent Guilderland in the middle school
Jazz Ensemble, led by noted jazz educator and performer Kevin Blanq,
director of jazz bands at LaGuardia High School of Music and Art.
Congratulations to all these fine young musicians and their teachers:
Kathleen Ehlinger, Jeff Herchenroder, Lee Russo, Rae Jean Teeter, and
Jason Utter.
The concert on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Columbia High School begins
at 3:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public
Music Performances at Barnes and Noble Fundraiser in Colonie Center
On Saturday, December 3, Barnes and Noble will donate 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. Customers simply need to identify themselves as a supporter of Guilderland Music Parents at the register. Student music ensemble groups of every age will be performing.
Performances will include small ensembles from the elementary, FMS and HS as well as the HS Chamber Choir. A list of performances will be posted as we get closer to the event.
The GMPFA support all ages of music instruction and have currently using funds raised to have the FMS 1971Grand Piano rebuilt.
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 3 through Thursday, December 8, 2011. Both in-store and online purchases are eligible for the donation. Visit BN.COM/bookfairs and use Bookfair ID 10411098 Download on-line purchasing instructions
Download a printable voucher to identify yourself as a supporter of Guilderland Music
15 Guilderland Students Selected for Area - All-State Ensembles
This year fifteen
The
concert will be held on Saturday,
November 19th beginning at 2 p.m. in the
Guilderland Recital Raises $800 for Flood Victims
The Guilderland Music Faculty and Tri-M music honor society presented a
combined recital on Thursday, October 27, 2011 in the high school
auditorium at 7:00 p.m. Exceptional performances were enjoyed by the
appreciative audience. This delightful evening culminated with a audience
sing-a-long of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land". While there
was no admission charged for this event,
a most generous audience contributed $800 for the Red Cross .
This year funds raised will be used to benefit our friends
and neighbors devastated by the ravages of Hurricane Irene.
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 All-State Ensembles
Each year, thousands of student musicians in New York State compete for an
opportunity to be selected for the prestigious NYSSMA Conference All State
Music Ensembles. Admission to these highly selective groups is based upon
the score received the previous spring during the NYSSMA Solo Evaluation
Festival. Each student performed before a certified adjudicator who
carefully evaluated every aspect of their performance.
The Guilderland High School music department is proud
to announce that five students were recognized for their exemplary
performances including: Amanda Dame daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Dame of
Altamont, Clare Ladd, daughter of Mr. Brian Ladd of Altamont, and Halli
Travers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Travers of Guilderland
Sharon Lin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hung- Yun Lin of Schenectady and
Geoffrey Snow, son of Mr. and Mrs. Omar Snow of Schenectady, were
recognized as alternates.
These talented students will spend four days rehearsing in Rochester with
gifted students from across the state with the event culminating in a
concert at Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music.
Congratulations to all the musicians, their teachers
and parents 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.
GHS Music Groups sweep top awards at the Heritage Festival in Boston
The
Guilderland High School Chamber Choir and Wind Ensemble won top awards at
the National Heritage Music Festival competition held in Boston, MA on
March 25-26th. High School and collegiate band, orchestra and choir
ensembles from across the country participated in the competition. The GHS
ensembles earned well deserved gold in numerous categories.
Opportunities to hear these ensembles in our own community will be held on
May 5, 2011 (Chamber Choir), and May 19, 2011 (Wind Ensemble) at
Guilderland High School beginning at 7:30 p.m. Additionally, the Wind
Ensemble is competing at the NYSSMA Major Ensemble Evaluation Festival on
April 28, 2011 at Shaker HS. All concerts are free and open to the public.
Click here for more information!
Guilderland Celebrates Music In Our Schools Month
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 hear what’s happening in the school music programs in your school and community! learn More
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.
