by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur High School Winter Concert Winter Concert featuring the High School Concert Band, High School Chorus, and High School Orchestra was held on Thursday, December 16, starting at 7 p.m., in the GHS Auditorium.
Gouverneur High School Principal Cory Wood welcomed all in attendance, and said the following: “Good evening. December 2019 was the last time we had music in our theater for our community. We are very happy about bringing a live performance back after the last two years of living in an isolated world. At the same point, we are very excited that the kids are able to showcase their skills, and the work of the teachers in bringing this all together…”
In accordance with the CDC and New York State Department of Health guidance amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, universal masking was observed by all those in attendance during the hour-long event. The policy was stated by GHS Principal Wood, who encouraged all to adhere to rules and regulations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the community. “(Masking) is uncomfortable but we are all doing it together,” he said. “We are all here to support our students. We are excited about having everyone here tonight. On behalf of Jacquelyn Kelly, GCS Superintendent of Schools, myself (GHS Principal Cory Wood) and all the staff at Gouverneur Central, we wish you a happy holidays, a great new year, and safe journeys in the next several months. We appreciate everyone coming tonight.”
GHS Concert Band
First on stage was the Gouverneur High School Concert Band, directed by Ms. Jenelle Yeoman, who said the following: “We haven’t had an in-person concert since about this time in 2019. This is such a special moment for all the musicians on stage, as I am sure it is for you. Music is meant to be shared and we can finally do that again. I am so excited to be up here with them again. They worked so hard. I want to thank all of our administration, and I have to thank all of you for your support of all the students. They have been through every possible obstacle the last few years. I am so proud of them. They work so hard… We’re looking forward to performing for you tonight... We hope you enjoy and have a wonderful holiday season.” Ms. Yeoman then urged the audience to follow concert etiquette and enjoy all the performances by the GHS students in the Winter Concert.
The GHS Concert Band featured the following talented musicians: On Flute: Tiamane Hull, Mariah Manning, Riley Seaman, Jahonna Sloan, and Janay Smith. On Clarinet: Carly Bartholomew, Hailey Cook, Kayla Davenport, Brook Garrett, Cassidy Ingram, Paige Kirby, Kati McIntosh. On Alto Saxophone: Ava Bartholomew, Sylvia French (also bari/whip), Janaya Fuller, and Elizabeth Riutta. On Tenor Saxophone: Everette Langille. On Trumpet: Liberty Bush, Jack Schroeder, Malique Zeller. On Trombone: Nelson Bice, Nathaniel Celley, Owen Nichols, Dillon Storie. On Euphonium: Louis Beaver and Madison Kurdziel. On Tuba: Hayley Burt. On Percussion: Alexis Baker, Destiny Blair, Allison Carvel, Gavin Davis, Kortney Knight, Nara Roberts, and Joseph Smith, Jr.
The GHS Concert Band first performed “Tuba Christmas” arranged by Robert W. Smith. Tuba Christmas features the popular Christmas carols of “Deck The Halls,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Jingle Bells,” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” The selection featured Madison Kurdziel on euphonium and Hayley Burt on tuba. It was reported that a Tuba Christmas concert is a large gathering of only tuba and euphonium players, where they perform holiday songs all together in a concert setting at night.
The GHS Concert Band then performed “A Christmas Tale (Beware The Krampus) by Randall Standridge. In some European Christmas traditions, Saint Nick does not work alone, he travels with Krampus who doles out punishment to bad boys and girls. This selection served as a darkly delightful Christmas piece. The spooky narration (by GHS senior Cole Siebels) helped to frame the piece as the band performed the piece which included distortions of “The Ukrainian Bell Carol,” “Up on the Housetop,” “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” and other holiday favorites, adding to the entertaining musical effect.
The GHS Concert Band then performed “Holiday Mash-Up” arranged by Patrick Roszell.
The selection featured two popular Christmas carols “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” Students featured on the selection were Mariah Manning on flute, Jack Schroeder on trumpet, and Ava Bartholomew and Elizabeth Riutta on alto saxophone.
The GHS Concert Band then extended all much gratitude for their attendance, and wished the Gouverneur community a happy and healthy holiday season and new year.
Much applause sounded for the GHS Concert Band after each selection.
GHS Chorus
The Gouverneur High School Chorus, directed by Renee Powlin and accompanied by Beth Johnson, then took to the risers in front of the GHS Auditorium stage.
The GHS Chorus featured the following talented vocalists: Soprano: Alexis Baker, Allison Carvel, Janaya Fuller, Elizabeth Hamilton, Aiden Hiscock, Madison Hubbard, Kortney Knight, Faith Leader, Kati McIntosh, Hannah Roderick, and Carynn Way. Alto: Niciara House-Bowman, Mariah Manning, Lilliana Shippee, Jahonna Sloan, Alyssa Stowell, Raniessa Way. Tenor/Bass: Hazen Given, Tiamane Hull, Makyle Pankey, Cole Siebels, Abigail Way, and Kaleb Webster.
The first selection was “Nutcracker Jingles” arranged by Chuck Bridwell. It included words and music from “Jingle Bells,” by James Pierpont, and additional music from “The Nutcracker Suite” by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Concertgoers heard “March of the Toy Soldiers” “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” “Dance of the Reed Flutes” and “Waltz of the Flowers.”
The GHS Chorus then performed “Ose Shalom (The One Who Makes Peace)” as arranged by John Leavitt. The translation of the song is “the one who makes peace in the heavens, may he make peace for us and for all Israel, let us say Amen.” Its simple message of peace was enhanced with soaring melodies and lyric instrumental lines as the GHS students performed the piece. The selection featured soloists Allison Carvel, Niciara House-Bowman, Jahonna Sloan, Cole Siebels and Kaleb Webster. They were accompanied by student musicians: Llydia Blaine on cello, Hailey Morrissiey on violin, Ayden Sears on bass, and Hailey Cook on clarinet.
GHS Music Teacher Renee Powlin then said the following: “We had a very special honor this year. For the first time in my career as a music teacher, we had a student selected to go to Conference All-State. Cole Siebels performed his NYSSMA solo, an all-state solo, and got a score of 99. And with that, and with the recommendation of the adjudicator and myself, he was accepted. Out of 170 Tenor 2s who auditioned, they accepted only 20. That’s pretty cool. I am going to give you an even bigger number. There were 1,280 students who auditioned to be part of this group and they accepted 160. That is pretty amazing. He also got to go to Rochester two weeks ago, the first weekend in December, and rehearse for two days with the other 159 singers and perform in a concert, which was really cool. In the Spring, we are going to sing one of the songs that they performed there. We are looking forward to that. Congratulations to Cole.” Much applause sounded for the GHS senior for the great accomplishment.
The GHS Chorus then performed “Jingle Bell Rock” as arranged by Alan Billingsley. First released in 1957 and famously recorded by Brenda Lee, this Christmas pop classic thrilled the Gouverneur audience. The selection featured Allison Carvel on the sleigh bells.
The GHS Chorus then performed “Mary Did You Know?” arranged by Tim Hayden. “Mary Did You Know?” is one of the few Christmas classics that was written in the last few decades. Mark Lowry wrote the words and Buddy Greene wrote the music for the popular Christmas song. The song’s lyrics wonder if Jesus’ mother could grasp the incredible power that was held in her tiny newborn. Now in its 30th year, the Gouverneur audience was thrilled by the GHS Chorus’ moving vocal performance of the modern Christmas classic.
Much applause sounded for the GHS Chorus after each selection.
GHS Orchestra
The Gouverneur High School Orchestra was directed by Victor M. Correa III, who extended gratitude to all those in attendance for their support. The GHS Orchestra featured the following talented musicians: 1st Violin: Liberty Bush, Emalyn Kulp, Hailey Morrissiey, and Turner Sochia. 2nd Violin: Mya Connor, Zaphire Hall, Madison Hopper, Willow Knapp, and Alexis Youngs. Viola: Allysa Byrd, Ashlee Flood, Cole Siebels, and Raneissa Way. Cello: Llydia Blaine, Aiden Hiscock, Niciara House-Bowman. String Bass: James Hayden and Ayden Sears.
The first selection was “Santa’s Wild Ride” arranged by Robert W. Smith, which invited the Gouverneur audience to join Santa Claus as he takes his Christmas eve journey, starting with the sounds of sleigh bells, laughter and well-wishes from Mrs. Claus and the elves – showcasing all the joy and excitement in this magical time of the year. However, as the ride progressed, things became a bit hectic as Santa makes his trip around the world. The selection featured Kortney Knight on percussion.
Next the GHS Orchestra performed the traditional Christmas carol, “Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” as arranged by Vice Gassi. The song is a Christmas carol which originated from the Provence region of France in the 17th century. The song was originally not meant to be sung at Christmas; it was considered dance music for French nobility. Jeannette and Isabelle/Isabella in the song title are two female farmhands who have found the baby Jesus and his mother in a stable. Excited by this discovery, they run to a nearby village to tell the inhabitants, who rush to see the new arrivals. Visitors to the stable are urged to keep their voices quiet, so the newborn can enjoy his dreams. To this day, on Christmas Eve in the Provence region, children dressed as shepherds and milkmaids carry torches and candles while singing the carol, on their way to Midnight Mass. The selection featured Allison Carvel on percussion.
The GHS Orchestra then performed “S’vivon” by Ben Clinesmith. The popular Hebrew Hanukkah song, “S’vivon” is the Hebrew word for “dreidel”, where dreidel is the Yiddish word for a spinning top. The Gouverneur audience was thrilled with the spirited arrangement of the folksong.
The GHS Orchestra concluded with “A Crazy Mixed-Up Christmas Concert” by David Shaffer with Gavin Davis and Destiny Blair on percussion. The Gouverneur audience was delighted to hear the quirky holiday piece, which describes a scenario in which all the orchestra music is mixed up just before a Christmas concert begins. The delightful novelty captures the music of that fateful concert in an entertaining and humorous setting. The song concluded with “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and the Gouverneur audience was delighted when the GHS Orchestra offered a hearty “Merry Christmas!” at the conclusion of the concert. Much applause sounded for the GHS Orchestra after each selection.
The Gouverneur High School Winter Concert will long be remembered in the Gouverneur community as the talents of the GHS students were showcased after two years of not being able to attend a live performance due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The students and instructional staff are commended for the exceptional wide range of holiday selections that were performed, and are still the talk of the Gouverneur community. Extra kudos are extended to GHS student speakers who provided riveting detail about the song selections. Much gratitude is also extended to the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly, GHS Principal Cory Wood, GHS Assistant Principal Christopher Marshall, and the GHS Custodial Staff for their support throughout the evening festivities.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the Gouverneur Elementary School students and the Gouverneur Middle School students performed their concerts virtually, and they will be available for viewing on the Gouverneur Central School District Facebook pages. For more information on Gouverneur Central School District, visit gcsk12.org.