This past month, with temperatures dropping far below zero, several Gouverneur high school and middle school students enjoyed practicing and performing at Ogdensburg Free Academy for the All County Music Festival. Both band and chorus students performed solo auditions for NYSSMA in the previous year to be selected for this wonderful opportunity. On Friday, February 3rd, Gouverneur students took the school day to join the other participants in order to get to know the pieces and each other. On the following day, after a few hours of preparation, they performed in the Ogdensburg auditorium for a full house. The band, headed by Theresa Witmer as conductor, performed three songs. “St. Lawrence Chronicles,” composed by David Eastmond, was a fast-paced adventurous piece, taking on the journeys of the first explorers on the Saint Lawrence river we are all familiar with. “Kalos Eidos,” composed by Carol Brittin Chambers, was the composer’s interpretation of a kaleidoscope, and the meaning becomes apparent when considering the dynamic percussive elements and small but distinctive changes in tempo and rhythm. The finishing piece for the band was “Solas Ane,” composed by Samuel Hazo. This piece translates to “Joy Yesterday,” and takes on a Gaelic melody which was brilliantly handed off to different sections of the woodwinds throughout the composition. Our own Gouverneur band students played impressively and gained valuable experiences during this opportunity. 

     The Senior High Vocal select was conducted by Dr. Jason Bishop and accompanied by Joshua Barkley. They performed four pieces including, “I Got Rhythm,” composed by George and Ira Gershwin, a jazz piece first popularized in the 1930s, featuring a syncopated rhythm and cleverly composed lyrics. “Hine Ma Tov” arranged by Neil Ginsburg is a Hebrew Folk song sung at traditional Jewish ceremonies. “What A Wonderful World,” composed by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele, was also performed by the chorus, the infamous jazz song that took the world by force when first recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1967. For Chorus’ last performance, they showcased “Take Me To The Water,” by Rollo Dillworth which was an African American hymn with distinct spiritual undertones relating to the sanctity of baptism. In addition, there were several students from the middle school who participated in the festival, all contributing to their own performances. The Gouverneur students who were selected for all country include: Ava Bartholomew, Carly Bartholomew, Hayley Burt, Mariah Manning, Sylvia French, Jack Schroeder, Brook Garrett, and Tiamane Hull performed in the band, while Niciara House-Bowman, Hazen Given, Abriana Casey, Adrianna Mashaw, Audrey Ormasen, Avalynn Langille, Yasmine Langille, Angelica Smith, Liam Gallagher, Alexander Hall, and Gavin Shippee performed in the senior and junior high chorus. Congratulations to all who received this notable distinction of their musical competency, as it is a great show of talent to be chosen for, participate in, and put on such an impressive performance during this event.