EXETER TOWNSHIP MUSIC DEPARTMENT · Festive Overture, the Can Can, Celtic Force, Led Zeplin’s...
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MARCH 2013 EXETER TOWNSHIP MUSIC DEPARTMENT QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER MARCH IS “MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS” MONTH The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) recognizes March as “Music In Our Schools” Month each year. Throughout this month, and beyond, the Exeter Township School District Music Department will continue to promote our student and program achievements in the areas of music education, performance, composition, and appreciation. Please take a few minutes to peruse the continuing achievements of our students in the numerous aspects of our music department here in Exeter Township. We have students achieving at the highest levels each and every day within our classrooms and beyond. In particular this month, we are fortunate to have three students representing us at the regional level through the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s Region V State Band and Chorus. Katherine Stewart (grade 12), will be representing Exeter at the band festival and James Damore (grade 10) and Allison Gieringer (grade 10) will be representing us at the chorus festival this month. Elementary String Students Visit Kimmel Center Exeter JHS hosts berks “Jazz Jam” On March 5th, fourth grade string students from Jacksonwald, Lorane, and Owatin Creek Elementary Schools traveled to the Kimmel Center to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra School Concert: Beethoven Lives Upstairs. After the performance, students had the unique opportunity to tour the Kimmel Center and see Verizon Hall, which is shaped like a cello! Students then interviewed a professional musician of the orchestra. We were very excited for our trip and would like to thank our building principals for their help in making it possible! On February 13 th , Exeter JHS was happy to host the Berks Jazz Jam for the second year in a row. This event, sponsored by the Reading Music Foundation, is provided in order to help students learn to improvise in a positive environment with professional jazz musicians leading the way. This year, Mr. Mike Eben, founder of the Berks Jazz Jam, enlisted Mr. Hal Weary, a new addition to the full time faculty at Albright college, as our featured guest. Mr. Weary, an excellent pianist, augments his career as a composer and performer and has had the experience of performing at Switzerland’s Jazz Festival, Gouvy Jazz Festival (Belgium), and the Blue Note (NYC) to name just a few. Joining Mr. Weary was Kevin MacConnell from the University of the Arts and Harry “Butch” Reed, a session percussionist from the Philadelphia area who has been showcased at several PA Jazz festivals. The night opened with the JHS Honors Choir singing three jazz standards, “Route 66”, “Blue Skies”, and “Hit that Jive Jack”. The professional trio joined in with the singers making the performance quite memorable. After a quick introduction, the trio was off and running and they were wonderful! The evening then turned educational, inviting our students and audience members to experiment with improvisation under the guidance of the trio. It was nice to see 7 th grade pianist, Devon Lewars, sitting along side of Hal Weary as he taught her jazz. Jon Kim, an 8 th grade orchestral student, tried sitting at the drum set and successfully played his first song. Members of the SHS jazzband took turns trading eights. A highlight of the night was 10 th grader, Alison Gieringer, singing “Fly Me to the Moon” with very tasteful scat sections. A personal highlight, was when my son, Adam, age 4, and his preschool buddy, got up and tried playing trumpet with the band. Jazz really is for everyone!
Transcript of EXETER TOWNSHIP MUSIC DEPARTMENT · Festive Overture, the Can Can, Celtic Force, Led Zeplin’s...
MARCH 2013
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EXETER TOWNSHIP MUSIC DEPARTMENT QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
MARCH IS “MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS” MONTH
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The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) recognizes March as “Music In Our Schools” Month each year. Throughout this month, and beyond, the Exeter Township School District Music Department will continue to promote our student and program achievements in the areas of music education, performance, composition, and appreciation. Please take a few minutes to peruse the continuing achievements of our students in the numerous aspects of our music department here in Exeter Township. We have students achieving at the highest levels each and every day within our classrooms and beyond. In particular
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this month, we are fortunate to have three students representing us at the regional level through the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s Region V State Band and Chorus. Katherine Stewart (grade 12), will be representing Exeter at the band festival and James Damore (grade 10) and Allison Gieringer (grade 10) will be representing us at the chorus festival this month.
Elementary String Students Visit Kimmel Center
Exeter JHS hosts berks “Jazz Jam”
On March 5th, fourth grade string students from Jacksonwald, Lorane, and Owatin Creek Elementary Schools
traveled to the Kimmel Center to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra School Concert: Beethoven Lives Upstairs. After the performance, students had the unique opportunity to
tour the Kimmel Center and see Verizon Hall, which is shaped like a cello! Students then interviewed a
professional musician of the orchestra. We were very excited for our trip and would like to thank our building
principals for their help in making it possible!
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On February 13th, Exeter JHS was
happy to host the Berks Jazz Jam for the second year in a row. This event, sponsored by the Reading Music Foundation, is provided in order to help students learn to improvise in a positive environment with professional jazz musicians leading the way. This year, Mr. Mike Eben, founder of the Berks Jazz Jam, enlisted Mr. Hal Weary, a new addition to the full time faculty at Albright college, as our featured guest. Mr. Weary, an excellent pianist, augments his career as a composer and performer and has had the experience of performing at Switzerland’s Jazz Festival, Gouvy Jazz Festival (Belgium), and the Blue Note (NYC) to name just a few. Joining Mr. Weary was Kevin MacConnell from the University of the Arts and Harry “Butch” Reed, a session percussionist from the Philadelphia area who has been showcased at several PA Jazz festivals.
The night opened with the JHS Honors Choir singing three jazz standards, “Route 66”, “Blue Skies”, and “Hit that Jive Jack”. The professional trio joined in with the singers making the performance quite memorable. After a quick introduction, the trio was off and running and they were wonderful! The evening then turned educational, inviting our students and audience members to experiment with improvisation under the guidance of the trio. It was nice to see 7th grade pianist, Devon Lewars, sitting along side of Hal Weary as he taught her jazz. Jon Kim, an 8th grade orchestral student, tried sitting at the drum set and successfully played his first song. Members of the SHS jazzband took turns trading eights. A highlight of the night was 10th grader, Alison Gieringer, singing “Fly Me to the Moon” with very tasteful scat sections. A personal highlight, was when my son, Adam, age 4, and his preschool buddy, got up and tried playing trumpet with the band. Jazz really is for everyone!
MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER MARCH 2013
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After enjoying a nice winter break, students had two weeks to get back into the swing of things and prepare their county auditions. On a cold Tuesday and Thursday in January, thirty 7th – 9th grade vocalists and instrumentalists boarded a bus to take them to Governor Mifflin SHS for the auditions.
The vocalists auditioned directly after dinner and had to go through two rooms in order to be considered for JHS County Chorus. In the preliminary room students sang Domine Fili Unigenite for two teacher judges who decided if they were prepared. If no, the audition was over. If yes, they continued onto the second room. In the final room, students sang the piece a second time and were scored in tone quality, preparation, dynamics, diction, rhythm, and technique. At the end of the night, scores were tallied and lists were posted. We were very happy to have 7 JHS vocalists and 3 SHS vocalists place. The students were Christina Flamporis (8th), Lauren Heyer (8th), Michaela Dungan (7th), Sierra Posey (7th), Emma Heffner (9th), Samantha Snyder (8th), Anna Bellettiere (7th), Matthew Ward (7th), and Jon Bingaman (9th).
The instrumental students prepared scales and a solo piece for their instrument. In addition, they needed to sight read a piece for
Thirty Students Participate in Berks Junior County Music Festivals
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the judges. At the conclusion of the night, the following 11 string students and 3 wind and brass students were selected for Jr. County Orchestra. Congratulations to: Gabrielle Beauvais (8th), Cameron Blanchard (9th), Isaac Duquette (9th), Allie Finney (9th), Julianna Foxx (7th), Emma Heffner (9th), Shane Hotzman (9th), Tyler Kellar (8th), John Kershner (9th), Jonathan Kim (8th), Priscilla Kim (9th), Taylor Klein (9th), Anthony Panase (9th), Abbi Simmons (9th).
The following 8 band students were chosen for Jr. County Band. They were JR Sciple (8th), Gabby Beauvais (8th), Jill Crosby (8th), Anna Belletteire (7th), Elise Kohler (7th), Emma Heffner (9th), Allie Finney (9th), and Isaac Duquette (9th).
During the week of February 11th, the selected students attended an all day rehearsal with a guest conductor. Students then participated in a dress rehearsal and concert on Saturday, February 16th at Muhlenberg HS. The level of musicianship was amazing. Students performed far beyond their years for a spectacular concert.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER MARCH 2013
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Pennsylvania Quintet Performs for SHS and JHS Band Students
On Tuesday, February 12, Penn State University School of Music Faculty members performed especially for our Senior High Band and select Junior High School Band Members. Student had the opportunity to hear this professional wind quintet perform and then ask the professors questions ranging from their instruments, the pieces they performed, and college preparation. The Pennsylvania Quintet, acclaimed wind chamber music ensemble, has been concertizing since 1984 at major venues on both sides of the Atlantic. Performances include concerts at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall in New York City, the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival in Germany, as well as recitals in Nuremberg and Frankfurt. In addition to concerts on many university guest artist series, the Quintet has been Ensemble-in-Residence at the Sedona Chamber Music Festival and a winner of the National Flute Association's international Chamber Music Ensemble Competition. National Public Radio has featured the Quintet in its nationally-syndicated program, Performance Today.
Congratulations to all 400 plus students involved in the 2013 String Jam on Valentines Day. The orchestras from each school performed selections individually, including Brahm’s Academic Festive Overture, the Can Can, Celtic Force, Led Zeplin’s Kashmir, with an electric violin soloist, and Superman Returns, prior to finishing the evening with all the orchestras performing Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slav together for the finale.
On Sunday, March 10th at 1 pm., the Sr. High String Quartet will be performing as part of the Community Art Show at the Exeter Community library. They will be performing many of the classical standards. We hope to see you there.
During the week of April 15th, world-famous artist Midori will perform for and work with the Exeter Sr. High School Orchestras. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with an artist of this caliber. We look forward to learning a great deal from this most amazing violinist.
SHS Orchestra News
MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER MARCH 2013
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News From Reiffton Donec interdum
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On Saturday March 2, 2013, fourteen students from Reiffton were selected to represent Exeter in newly formed Berks County Elementary Band Festival. The students rehearsed 12 selections under the direction of Steve Katzemoyer at Oley Middle School before presenting a concert to their parents and the general public. Congratulations to the following for representing Exeter!
Brandi Noll, Caleb Shunk, & Nicholas Panase –trumpet Morgan Schell & Noelle Narvaez, Flute
Jocelyn Sciple & Jacquelyn Wilson-French Horn Nicole Ramsey-clarinet Lauren Drager-mallets Jacob Forbes-Alto Sax
Kevin Harding-Tenor Sax Allison Cregar-trombone
Carson Endy-baritone Mike Perkins-Tuba
Exeter’s string students will be well represented at the annual MEBC 6th Grade County Orchestra Festival on Saturday, March 23rd. Students from around the county were selected by their conductors to participate in this honors orchestra. Students will rehearse for four hours prior to the concert. This year’s guest conductor is Mrs. Erica Milbourne from North Penn School District. The festival will be held at Oley Valley Middle School. Concert time is scheduled for 2:30 PM on March 23rd. The following 6th graders will be participating.
Steve Conn, Gabby Crawl, Lauren Drager, Yashica Kagithapu, Makenna Kehler, Brandi Noll, Nick Panase, Christian Pochran, Michelle Quaglia, Olivia Smith, and Michelle Wang—violin; Ian Bechtel,
Jordan Groves, Maddy Keim, Caleb Shunk—viola; Mychaela Blanski, Nicole Ramsey, and Ian Woytowich—cello; Mike Perkins—string bass
The Reiffton Orff Ensemble and the Guitar Ensemble is in full swing! Students meet once a week before school for practice. Students have been working on playing melodic lines, countermelodies, scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions. They will perform at Reiffton’s Spotlight Solo Concert on Tuesday April, 23, 2013 at 7 PM in the Reiffton Cafeteria.
Reiffton will hold their first Spotlight Solo concert on Tuesday April, 23, 2013 at 7 PM in the Reiffton Cafeteria. Auditions for this concert will be held on 3/19-3/21 from 3-4:30 PM. We look forward to hearing the musical talents of our Reiffton students.
The JHS Honors Choir has continued to keep busy and is continuing to book future performances. In January, the group was excited to sing the National Anthem at a Reading Royals game. In February, we sang three numbers before the Jazz Jam. Looking ahead, we will be singing during a Jazzfest performance of the Let’s Dance Big Band on April 9th. We have been invited to sing the National Anthem at Little League’s opening day in Exeter on April 11th and 12th as well as at a Reading Fightin’ Phils game. We are also looking forward to our own concert with the JHS Jazz Band sometime in May. Our big finale will be performing with The Early Dismissals on June 1st - a show that always brings down the house!
Junior High School Honors Choir Update
MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER MARCH 2013
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March 6-9 – PMEA Region V State Band
March 15 – JHS Talent Show
March 21-23 – PMEA Region V Chorus
April 9 – Let’s Dance Big Band
April 11-13 – Senior High School Musical “Carnival”
April 23 – Reiffton Spotlight Solo Concert
April 24 – SHS Spring Band Concert
April 25 – Elementary String Fair
May 8 – Lorane Spring Concert Reiffton 5th Grade Concert
JHS 8th Grade Concert
May 9 – Lorane Senior Citizens’ Breakfast and Concert
May 11 – JHS Music in the Parks
May 14 – Reiffton 6th Grade Concert
JHS 7th Grade Concert
May 16 – SHS Spring Choral Concert
May 18 – Band Performances at May Days
May 22 – Owatin Creek Spring Concert SHS Spring Orchestra Concert
May 23 – Jacksonwald Spring Concert
May 27 – Memorial Day Parade
May 30 – Band Night
June 1 – The Early Dismissals Concert
June 4 – Reiffton Life Skills Concert
June 19 – The Early Dismissals play Teacher
Appreciation Night at Reading Phils
UPCOMING MUSIC DEPARTMENT EVENTS:
