Elementary and middle school music performances strike a chord
Music was in the air on Saturday, March 7, as students from across the district came together in both the Middle School Solo/Small Ensemble Festival and Elementary Honor Choir.
Middle School Solo/Small Ensemble
After months of preparation and rehearsal, band, choir and orchestra students from 11 schools provided approximately 270 performances as solos, duets, trios, quartets or quintets. Hosted at Hillcrest High School, each performance was evaluated by a judge who provided compliments and critiques to help the student become a better performer.
Participating schools:
Academy of Exploration Band and Orchestra
Carver Middle School Orchestra
Central Middle Years Programme Band and Choir
Cherokee Middle School Band, Choir and Orchestra
Hickory Hills K-8 School Band, Choir and Orchestra
Jarrett Middle School Orchestra
Pershing K-8 School Band, Choir and Orchestra
Pipkin Middle School Band, Choir and Orchestra
Pleasant View K-8 School Band, Choir and Orchestra
Reed Middle School Band, Choir and Orchestra
Westport K-8 School Band and Orchestra
Elementary Honor Choir
After several rehearsals, 263 fourth and fifth graders from 25 different schools performed in the Elementary Honor Choir at Parkview High School for their families.
The concert was made up of five pieces:
- Appalachian Dances by Cristi Cary Miller
- Path to the Moon by Eric H. Thiman
- Kusimama by Jim Papoulis
- There Has to Be a Song by Andrea Ramsey
- Joshua (Fit the Battle of Jericho) arranged by Kirby Shaw
Each year a different clinician is invited to work with the students in the concert. Christina Harmon filled the role this year. Harmon earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Evangel University, fully certified in the Koldaly Music Method. She currently teaches at Purdy Elementary as a pre-K-6 vocal music teacher and director of the Eagle Echoes 4-6 audition choir.
Participating Schools:
Academy of Exploration
Academy of Fine and Performing Arts
Bingham Elementary School
Bissett Elementary School
Boyd Elementary School
Delaware Elementary School
Field Elementary School
Gray Elementary School
Hickory Hills K-8 School
Holland Elementary School
Jeffries Elementary School
McBride Elementary School
McGregor Elementary School
Pershing K-8 School
Pittman Elementary School
Pleasant View K-8 School
Rountree Elementary School
Sequiota Elementary School
Sunshine Elementary School
Truman Elementary School
Twain Elementary School
Weaver Elementary School
Wilder Elementary School
Williams Elementary School
Wilson’s Creek Intermediate School
Both of these performance-filled events were a great way to start Music in our Schools Month, celebrated each March.
