GMS Spring Concert features students vocal, musical talents

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Central School District presented the Middle School Spring Concert on Thursday, May 18 in the Gouverneur Central High School auditorium. The concert featured the talents of student musicians in the 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band, 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra, and the Gouverneur Wildcat Chorus (Grades 5-8).

A crowd of eager community members, families and friends of the Gouverneur Middle School students, Supt. Jackie Kelly, the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education Members, faculty and staff filled the GHS auditorium in strong support of the student-musicians. A warm welcome was given by Gouverneur Middle School Assistant Principal Angela Calkins. “Thank you for coming to the Gouverneur High School for the middle school concert,” she said. “I know the students and teachers have been working very hard. We’ve heard lots of melodies and notes coming from the music room. We are very excited to have all of you here…” All in attendance were urged to observe concert etiquette during the performances.

The 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band, conducted by Miss Jenelle Yeoman, performed “Battle Creek March” by Mark Williams, “Spring” by Randall Standridge, and “Abandoned Treasure Hunt” by Rob Grice. The student-musicians included the following: Flute: Kylie Gallagher, Anna Holcomb, Damynn Mashaw, Alivia Wilson. French Horn: Hannah White, Sikoya Whitmarsh. Clarinet: Rae-Lynn Burns, Anthony Jonquil, Damian O’Riley, Kiraghan Stamper, Wyatt Weatherup. Trombone: Brendan Campbell, Matthew Duprey, Johnathan Hogle, Trevor Larsen, Mitchell Romans, Makenna Rowe, Brianna Scott, Garrison White. Alto Saxophone: Charlee Cudhea, Colton Hayden, Gage Liscum, Olivia McDougall, Brayden Scott. Tuba: Robert Kulp, Hannah Sochia, Daimon Tuttle. Tenor Saxophone: Alana Correa. Percussion: Avian Burt, Liam Gallagher, Cruz Pawananon, Nicholas Poole, Caleb Sanchez, Wyatt Slate. Trumpet: Arianna Colon, Sarafina Colon, German Sanchez, Lily Scott, Gabriel Strickland. Euphonium: Ethan Alguire, Samantha Countryman, Dallas Doxtater, Payton Kirby, and Laina Kurdziel.

The 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra, conducted by Mr. Paul Buell, performed “First Scale March” by Mark Williams, “A Night At Symphony Hall” as arranged by Sandy Feldstein, “Hiawatha” by Soon Hee Newbold, and “Gaelic Castle” by Soon Hee Newbold. The student-musicians in the orchestra included the following: Violin: Taylor Edney, Adrianna Mashaw, Audrey Ormasen, Wyatt Slate, Samantha Thomas. Viola: Brodey Daniels. Cello: Sophia Hewitt, MayLea Jenkins. Bass: Alexander Hall, Hannah Sochia, Hunter Swem. The concert master was Wyatt Slate.

The Gouverneur Wildcat Chorus – conducted by Miss Sarah E. Stedman and accompanied by Ms. Gail Haile on piano and GHS Sophomore Gavin Davis (percussionist) – performed four selections. The first was a traditional spiritual, “Who Will Be a Witness,” as arranged by Donald Moore, “There Will Come Soft Rains” written by Laura Farnell (from Sara Teasdale’s poem), “Cuppa Cappuccino” by Andy Beck. The Gouverneur Wildcat Chorus brought down the house with “Can’t Stop the Felling” as arranged by Audrey Snyder with words and music by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin and Shellback. Students in the Wildcat Chorus included the following: Brooklyn Anderson, Laila Bearden, Kameran Bice, Kaelyn Bishop, Jackson Breckenridge, Arianna Brown, Lettie Brown, Avian Burt, Holly Carr, Abriana Casey, Paisley Casey, Julia Cole, Alana Correa, Victor Correa, Dreyden Daniels, Logan Doster, Lucas Doster, Melody Doyal, Taylor Edney, Liam Gallagher, Brice Garrett, Marley Gendron, Ruby Griffith, Natalie Gollinger, Alexander Hall, Emilee Hance, Sophi Hayden, Miracle Holiday, Gracie Huckle, Alice Idzenga, Laraya Klock, Isabella Knowlton, Avalynn Langille, Yasmine Langille, Ragean Larsen, Reese Larsen, Baileigh Law, Kaitlyn Losey, Adrianna Mashaw, Damynn Mahsaw, Aubrianna Mason, Olivia McDougall, Alexa Merkley, Lola Moller, Jacob Moon, Onna Moss, Joshua Newcombe, Marlayna Nichols, Heidi Noble, Damian O’Riley, Audrey Ormasen, Brycen Parshley, Damien Prashaw, Gabrielle Rayburn, Isabella Rayburn, Addyson Risley, Emma Riutta, Jeiza Rodriguez, Olivia Salazar, Ariyonna Savage, Annabelle Schroeder, Mya Seymour, Gavin Shippee, Madison Sibley, Stephanie Sibley, Lindonlee Smith, Maddix Sovie, Micaela Swinton, Aryana Tarkowski, Kaydence Taylor, Nora Tharaldsen, Jordan Tolsma, Daimon Tuttle, Evelyn Vann, Izzabella Vann, Celia Weekes, Hannah White, Serenity Whitmarsh, Sikoya Whitmarsh, Isabella Zeller.

The crowd gave a standing ovation and great applause at the conclusion of the concert.

Words of congratulations were extended to the students who participated in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Solo Fest. This included: Kylie Gallagher, Laina Kurdziel, Alana Correa, Hannah White, Brianna Scott, Avian Burt, Audrey Ormasen, Samantha Thomas, Sophia Hewitt, Abrianna Casey, and Alexander Hall.

As well, congratulations were extended to the eighth-grade musicians who will be moving up to the Gouverneur High School in September 2023: Jackson Breckenridge, Rae-Lynn Burns, Brendan Campbell, Abrianna Casey, Brodey Daniels, Dallas Doxtater, Kylie Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, Natalie Gollinger, Alexander Hall, Sophia Hewitt, Anthony Jonquil, Robert Kulp, Laina Kurdziel, Onna Moss, Audrey Ormasen, Damien Prashaw, Mitchell Romans, Brayden Scott, Brianna Scott, Stephanie Sibley, Wyatt Slate, Hannah Sochia, Gabriel Strickland, Hunter Swem, Samantha Thomas, Wyatt Weatherup, Garrison White, Serenity Whitmarsh, and Sikoya Whitmarsh.

Much gratitude was extended to all those in the Gouverneur community who came in support of the Music Program at the Gouverneur Middle School. Appreciation was also extended to the Gouverneur Central School District Superintendent of Schools Jackie Kelly, the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education, GCSD administration, faculty and staff for their support as well.

For more information on the Gouverneur Central School District, visit gcsk12.org.