Meadow Hill and South Middle Bands Combine Forces for Music Education

Now in its second year, the 7th and 8th Grade Bands from Meadow Hill School and South Middle School recently combined for a rousing performance in front of a packed cafeteria at Meadow Hill School. Over 300 students were in attendance, including all third graders at Meadow Hill School.  Among many other things, third graders learn about the instruments of the band and orchestra this year in Music class.  At the end of the school year, they will be eligible to try-out instruments and be selected for fourth grade Band or Orchestra, in addition to Chorus.

The Meadow Hill School 7th & 8th Grade Band, taught by Mr. Jason Rickey, performed two selections for South and the audience - The title theme for the "Star Wars" television show "The Mandalorian" by Ludwig Göransson, arr. Robert Longfield and the lyrical piece "After the Rain" by Matt Neufeld.  Both selections, in addition to several others, will be presented at their Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 27th at 6:30pm.

The South Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Band, taught by Mr. Felix Robles, performed three selections for the audience, ending with an excerpt of "The Phantom of the Opera", which they will be performing with the Orchestra, also led by Mr. Robles, and the Chorus, led by Mr. Rick Santacroce.  Mr. Santacroce and Mrs. Nicole Lorenzo, also from South, also performed with the South Middle School Band on trumpet and flute, respectively.  All of these selections and more will be presented at their Spring Concert, held at Newburgh Free Academy Main Campus on Wednesday, May 27th at 6:30pm.

For the grand finale, both schools' 7th & 8th Grade Bands combined into one for an exciting closer - "Dark Fortress - Overture" by Rob Grice - this year conducted by Mr. Robles, with Mr. Rickey joining the Band on trumpet.  The audience gave a rousing applause for a job well done.  At the very end of the Assembly, the 3rd Graders got to see and hear each of the instruments in Band played by a student or teacher.  They will have an even closer look when instrument demonstrations begin in their Music classes next month, to help them make a decision on which instruments to try out on for next year.

This partnership continues to grow, and it is hoped it will expand even further, to more groups and schools next year and for years to come.  In addition to all the talented and dedicated students for a job well done, the Music Departments of both Meadow Hill and South would like to thank Ms. Kristen Johnsen, Director of the Fine and Performing Arts Department, for getting this event off the ground and arranging transportation for South.  They would also like to thank the administration at both schools for being supportive of this partnership, all their colleagues for being supportive for attendance, and especially the hard-working Security and custodial staff for the quick turnaround from performance to Lunch time.

Story by Jason Rickey and Felix Robles.  Photos by Rick Santacroce and Donna Rickey.