by Rachel Hunter
A standing ovation was given at the conclusion of the Gouverneur Middle School Spring Concert, held on Thursday, May 12 in the GHS Auditorium, for the exceptional performances by the Seventh and Eighth Grade Concert Band, the Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestra, and the Gouverneur Middle School Wildcat Chorus (Grades 5 to 8) during the hour-long concert.
The welcome and announcements were made by Gouverneur Middle School Principal Jessica Sullivan, who informed the crowd that it was the first live musical concert from the Gouverneur Middle School since December of 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. “Miss Yeoman and Mr. Correa and Miss Stedman have done a fantastic job working with our students to get them ready for this performance tonight,” Principal Sullivan said. “I’m proud of how hard our teachers and students have worked through the pandemic to preserve our musical ensembles here, and I’m so excited that they are finally able to perform in front of you tonight… I hope you enjoy the concert.”
The Seventh and Eighth Grade Concert Band, conducted by Miss Jenelle Yeoman, featured the following selections, which were introduced by student speakers:
The first selection caught the attention of the audience with the dramatic “Embolden” by Sean O’Loughlin. The selection embodied the definition of its title – to give someone courage or confidence. The Concert Band played the sweeping melody with a powerful presentation that provided the momentum for an emphatic and decisive finish.
The storytelling in the Concert Band’s selection of “The Dragon Lord” by Randall Standridge inspired the crowd. The selection featured the story about The Dragon Lord, a mythical figure from the Darklands, who is said to live in the mountains that border the kingdom. His shadow is occasionally glimpsed flying above the clouds, and, more often, his lonely, terrifying roar can be heard echoing from the ebony cliffs where only fools would dare to go. In this selection, the Concert Band went face-to-face with the monstrous giant in all of its fury and power – and the crowd was thrilled by the dragon roar at the conclusion of the performance.
The personnel in the 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band included the following: Flute: Kylie Gallagher and Alyssa Lyons, Clarinet: Nicholas Bloxham, Rae-Lynn Burns, n Anthony Jonquil, Tanner Knight, Hannah Sochia, and Wyatt Weatherup, Alto Saxophone: Michael Jonquil and Brayden Scott, Baritone Saxophone: Alana Correa, French Horn: Kelvin Bice III, Trumpet: Tyler Dean, Dallas Doxtater, Bailey Newcombe, Gaabriel Strickland, Trombone: Brendan Campbell, Zorien Fuller, Mitchell Romans, Brianna Scott, and Garrison White, Euphonium: Payton Kirby and Laina Kurdziel, Tuba: Robert Kulp, and Percussion: Liam Gallagher, Xavier Hudson, Norris LaRue, and Sikoya Whitmarsh.
The Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestra was conducted by Miss Jenelle Yeoman, when GMS/GHS Music Teacher Victor Correa III filled in for a student who couldn’t be in attendance. The orchestra performed the following selections, which were introduced by student speakers:
The first selection was “Crystal City March” by Mark Williams, a spirited march that was enjoyable for both the orchestra to perform and the crowd to listen to.
The second selection was “Honor and Glory” by Soon He Newbold, which was dedicated to the brave men and women who risk their lives to protect others and serve in the name of freedom. The selection had bold and majestic themes throughout, and the crowd enjoyed this truly inspirational piece.
The personnel in the Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestra include the following: Violin: Cassidy Chambers, Brodey Daniels, Electa Fitzgerald, Victoria LaRock, Norris LaRue, Briahna McGill, Audrey Ormasen, Jackson Ritchie, Arianna Sibley, Keelana Thomas, Samantha Thomas, Serenity Whitmarsh, and Ella-Mae Whitton. Cello: Dylon Dixson and Alyssa Lyons. String Bass: Alexander Hall, Keanna Matthews, and Hunter Swem.
The Gouverneur Wildcat Chorus featured 75 voices strong, and was conducted by Miss Sarah E. Stedman, and accompanied by Ms. Gail Haile. The crowd was thrilled with the Radio Hits selections performed by the fifth through eighth grade students. The selections included the following:
The Chorus’ first selection was “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66” a popular rhythm and blues song, composed in 1946 by American songwriter Bobby Troup. The lyrics follow the path of U.S. Route 66 (US 66), which traversed the western two-thirds of the U.S. from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California. The song became a standard, with several renditions appearing on the record charts. The Chorus used an arrangement by Roger Emerson, which thrilled the audience, with its high energy and clear vocals.
Next was the Chorus’ performance of the emotional ballad “Shallow,” the words and music written by Lady Gaga, M. Ronson, A. Rossomando, A. Wyatt, as arranged by Alan Billingsley. The selection feature GHS Senior Cole Siebels as guitarists as well as the following quintets – Kylen Bowman, Alexander Hall, Conner Platt, Jackson Ritchie, and Zackery Schiszler as well as Jaylynn Dalton, Alyssa Farr, Lilly Moore, Serenity Whitmarsh, and Sikoya Whitmarsh.
The Chorus also sang “Firework,” with words and music by Katy Perry, M. Eriksen, T. E. Hermansen, S. Wilheld, E. Dean, and arranged by Alan Billingsley. It is a dance-pop self-empowerment anthem with inspirational lyrics, and Perry felt it was an important song for her on her third studio album, Teenage Dream (2010). Capitol Records released it as the album's third single on October 26, 2010. The song was commercially successful, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top five on 20 charts around the world. "Firework" has sold over 1 million copies in the United Kingdom, and was certified 12× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over 12 million copies in the United States.
The Chorus’ final selection was “Crocodile Rock,” a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and recorded in summer 1972, and the lyrics take a nostalgic look at early rock 'n' roll, pop culture, dating and youthful independence of that era. The Chorus sang an arrangement by Roger Emerson, and was accompanied by GHS Student Gavin Davis. As a special treat for the students’ hard word, Miss Stedman donned a pair of sunglasses before the performance as she conducted the Chorus.
The Wildcat Chorus included the following personnel: Jordynn Aldridge, Jenika Babcock, Hadley Baker, Laila Bearden, Kameran Bice, Kylen Bowman, Jackson Breckenridge, Lettie Brown, Arianna Brown, Rae-Lynn Burns, Avian Burt, Riley Camidge, Holly Carr, Abriana Casey, Cassidy Chambers, Kacey Collette, Alana Correa, Kayden Cousino, Jaylynn Dalton, Dreyden Daniels, Olivia DeGroff, Taylor Edney, Alyssa Farr, Payton Forsythe, Liam Gallagher, Taylor Guthrie, Alexander Hall, Laynee Hall, Sophi Hayden, Laraya Klock, Kaitlyn Losey, Adrianna Mashaw, Damynn Mashaw, Olivia McDougall, Briahna McGill, Nathalie McIntosh, Joicelyn McSweeney, Alexa Merkley, Lola Moller, Lilly Moore, Onna Moss, Joshua Newcombe, Marlayna Nichols, Damian O’Riley, Audrey Ormasen, Conner Platt, Damien Prashaw, Jaycie Prashaw, Jackson Ritchie, Raylynn Roberts, Olivia Salazar, Kennadie Sawyer, Zackery Schiszler, Annabelle Schroeder, Arianna Sibley, Madison Sibley, Sarah Sibley, Myah Siebels, Angelica Smith, Treyton Smith, Micaela Swinton, Aubree Taylor, Kaydence Taylor, Nora Tharaldsen, Samantha Thomas, Hailey Thomas-Brasie, Peyton Travis, Daimon Tuttle, Izzabella Vann, Celia Weekes, Gracie White, Hannah White, Serenity Whitmarsh, Sikoya Whitmarsh, and Adalyn Worden.
The program featured artwork by eighth grade student Maycee Matice, and included the upcoming dates in the Gouverneur Wildcat Performance Schedule, including the following: GHS Concert (Band, Orchestra and Chorus) which will be held on Thursday, May 19, 7 p.m., and the GES Concert (K-4) on Wednesday, June 8 at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgrounds Grandstand. Schedule changes will be posted on the Gouverneur Central School District website, gcsk12.org.
Also recognized were the eighth grade student musicians who will be moving up to the Gouverneur High School in September. This includes the following: Jenika Babcock, Kelvin Bice III, Kylen Bowman, Nicholas Bloxham, Cassidy Chambers, Kacey Collette, Kayden Cousino, Jaylynn Dalton, Alyssa Farr, Electa Fitzgerald, Zorien Fuller, Xavier Hudson, Tanner Knight, Victoria LaRock, Norris LaRue, Alyssa Lyons, Keanna Matthews, Briahna McGill, Lilly Moore, Bailey Newcombe, Conner Platt, Jackson Ritchie, Kennadie Sawyer, Zackery Schiszler, Arianna Sibley, Sarah Sibley, Myah Siebels, Hailley Thomas-Brasie, and Ella-Mae Whitton.
Much gratitude was extended to all for their support of the music department at the Gouverneur Central School District.