As the school year winds down, students who are in music ensembles are making their final preparations for their end of the year June concert. What goes into making these concerts a success, and how can one continue making music in the summer?
At New Hartford, there are three music ensembles that can be taken as a class – Symphonic Band, Orchestra, and Choir. These ensembles perform pieces that they have worked on through the spring in their respective June concerts. The Choir performed their concert on Wednesday, June 4th, while the Symphonic Band and Orchestra performed on Monday, June 9th.
Orchestra
Great dedication and effort is put into making this concert a success. The Orchestra teacher, Mrs. Wilcox, applauds the authentic effort that students put into making the pieces sound the best that they can.
The Orchestra played four pieces for this year’s concert. The first song played was called “Where Falcons Fly,” and Mrs. Wilcox chose this song as it was a newer piece that was fun to play for all sections and has great energy.
The second piece, titled “Take 5,” was a jazz standard written specifically for an orchestra, which is rather rare. Some students improvised solos or duets on their string instrument as well–creating their own solos and duets, rather than reading from written music.
“Music from Wicked” was the third piece and incorporated different themes from the well-known musical. Ms. Wilcox chose this piece because of its relevance as the musicals have been released recently in theatres.
The last piece for the orchestra, “Sahara Crossing,” was an alumni piece where anyone who was previously in the orchestra could come and play.
Band
The Symphonic Band played four pieces as well on Monday, with one of the songs being “Into the Raging River.”
“I chose this piece because when I was in 8th grade, that song was the foundation for our marching band show,” said Ms. Kasky, the Band director. “It is very sentimental for me, and it is also a very fun piece to play and listen to.”
Another piece the ensemble played was called “Fantasia on the Dargason.” Current seniors played an arrangement of this song in middle school.
“I wanted to give them the opportunity to play the real deal here in the high school,” Ms. Kasky said.
A piece that is a fan-favorite among students is called “Mischievous Behavior.” This piece was voted on by the members of the band against another song option, and Ms. Kasky also thought that this piece was a very upbeat and fun song.
Finally, the last piece the band played was a sentimental ballad titled “Solas Ané.” This is Ms. Kasky’s favorite piece overall for this year’s concert.
“It’s a bittersweet piece that looks back on the fond memories that happened and a look ahead into the future adventures that may happen,” Ms. Kasky said.
Choir
Like the other ensembles, four songs were chosen for the Choir, who had their concert on June 4th. Mrs. Lotyczewski is the Choir teacher.
The first song, called “Isn’t She Lovely,” was chosen by the choir through a March madness-style bracket.
The next three songs, chosen specifically for NYSSMA Majors, were titled “El Mar,” “A Song of Life,” and “Swingin’ with the Saints.” At this event, different ensembles from around the area showcased their musical abilities for a specific rating by adjudicators.
“I have had ‘A Song of Life’ stuck in my head, but El Mar is really dramatic,” Mrs. Lotycewski said. “I feel that this is a very solid program, and definitely a no-skip playlist!”
Senior Recognition
At both concerts, there was a section dedicated to senior recognition.
The process is very similar between all ensembles. Each senior is called up before the final song and recognized by the director, who announces some information about each person.
“Every senior before we play our last piece will be called up one at a time where I will call out their name, their instrument, how long they’ve been playing, their plans for next year, and their favorite memory from band,” Ms. Kasky said. “Students submitted this info to me through a google form.”
Summer Opportunities
There are many opportunities for students to continue playing music in the summer after the concert.
For Orchestra students, Summer Orchestra is a great opportunity to play fun repertoire in a relaxed environment. It runs from July 14th to the 17th in the High School Orchestra and Choir room during the day, with a concert in the evening on the last day.
Band students can enroll in the New Hartford Citizen’s Band, which holds a few rehearsals and concerts from June 11th to August 3rd.
“Anybody in the community can join Citizen’s Band, but I recommend people join in highschool as that is basically the level we play at,” Ms. Kasky said. “We hold our concerts every wednesday in July in the Village Green or Rec Center if it is raining, and members are paid for each rehearsal and concert.”
Choir students can be part of musicals outside of school, such as through RISE Performing Arts.
“There are plenty of summer camps available through multiple colleges,” Mrs. Lotycewski said. “Also, students can continue to improve their singing skills through private instruction.”
Throughout the entire school year, these ensembles have worked hard to perform multiple concerts and pieces. And even though school music ensembles have finished rehearsing for the school year, there are plenty of opportunities for students to continue playing music throughout the summer.
