by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur Central School District Middle School Spring Concert on May 16 featured the talented student musicians and vocalists in the Sixth Grade Band, Seventh and Eighth Grade Band, Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestra, and the Gouverneur Middle School Wildcat Chorus.
The Sixth Grade Concert Band, under the direction of Richard Patton, performed “Starsplitter Fanfare” by Brian Balmages, “Bandroom Boogie” by Michael Sweeney, and “Power Rock” arr. by Michael Sweeney. The student-musicians in the Sixth Grade Concert Band include the following: Flute: Isabella Knowlton, Colton Middleton. Oboe: Brooklyn Anderson, Aryana Tarkowski. Clarinet: Molly Babcock, Karsyn Cudhea, Chloe Griffith, Miracle Holiday, and Hendrix McSweeney. Alto Saxophone: Melody Doyle, Karissa Hamilton, Hayden Hazelton, Hope-Lee Holiday, Warren Johnson, Isabella Rayburn, Gabriella Rayburn. French Horn: Peyton Dusharm, Kailey Lewis. Trumpet: Micah Bright, Braelyn Parsons. Trombone: Roy Bender, Marley Gendron, Baileigh Law. Euphonium: Levi Klock, Adelynn Miller. Tuba: Silas Clark, Owen Moss. Percussion: Julia Cole, Walton Douglas, and Brayden Olson.
The Seventh and Eighth Grade Concert Band, under the direction of Richard Patton, performed “Cardiff Castle” by Mark Williams, “America, the Beautiful” arr. by Robert W. Smith and Michael Story, and “Eye of the Tiger” arr. by Gerald Sebesky. The student-musicians in the Seventh and Eighth Grade Concert Band include the following: Flute: Damynn Mashaw, Anna Holcomb, Joicelyn McSweeney, Gracie White. Clarinet: Dustin Cardinell, Sophia Marx, Ayden Miller, Damian O’Riley. Alto Saxophone: Gage Liscum, Olivia McDougall, Izabella Vann. Tenor Saxophone: Curtis Terpstra. Baritone Saxophone: Colton Hayden. French Horn: Xavier Ames, Kameran Bice, Hannah White. Trumpet: Laila Bearden, Jace Castro, Adrian Cimineri, Courtney Hays, Lily Scott. Trombone: Keith Bice, Matthew Dupret, Johnathan Hogle, Yasmine Langille, Casmeir Reaves, Weston Simmons, Bentley Vanderbogart. Tuba: Daimon Tuttle. Percussion: Lane Ayen, Avian Burt, Alessandria Colon, Curtis Crandall, Nicholas Poole, Trent Reynolds, Treyton Smith, Mary Wallace. Mallets: Avian Burt, Cruz Pawananon.
The Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestra, under the direction of Paul Buell and accompanied by Kathleen Buell, performed “Orchestra Expressions Medley No. 1” featuring themes from “We Will Rock You,” “A Traveler’s Song,” “Lightly Row,” and “Frog’s Legs.” Next was “Orchestra Expressions Medley No. 2” featuring the theme from “New World Symphony,” “The Trolley Song,” and “Kwanza.” They closed out the performance with “Country Cookin’” by Elliot del Bargo. The Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestra includes the following student-musicians: Violin: Isabella Barbarito, Kara Countryman, Taylor Edney, Sophi Hayden, Adrianna Mashaw, Alexa Merkley, Lola Moller, Madison Nichols, Emma Riutta, Jax Spicer, Aubree Taylor, Chloe Whitton. Viola: Olivia DeGroff. Cello: MayLea Jenkins, Tyler Markwick. Bass: Keegan Durham-Travis.
The Gouverneur Middle School Wildcat Chorus, under the direction of Sarah E. Stedman and accompanied by Ms. Gail Haile, performed “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King, Mike Stoller, Jerry Leiber, arr. by Roger Emerson. Next was a traditional selection, “Shenandoah” as arr. by Andrew Parr. The Wildcat Chorus then performed “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin, arr. by Roger Emerson. Their final performance was “I’ll Be There For You” (Theme From Friends) by M. Skloff, D. Crane, M. Kauffman, A. Willis, P. Solem, D. Wilde, arr. by Jill Galina. The selection featured the Rock Band of Jonavian Ayen (electric guitar), Gavin Davis (drums), and Jackson Ritchie (electric bass). The Gouverneur Middle School Wildcat Chorus includes the following student-vocalists: Brooklyn Anderson, Tristan Arquitt, Aria Austin, Kisara Becker, Kameran Bice, Keelee Bice, Kaelyn Bishop, Ricki Bowhall, Aubrey Bristol, Arianna Brown, Lettie Brown, Avian Burt, Holly Carr, Aspen Chase, Adrian Cimineri, Julia Cole, Kara Countryman, Karsyn Cudhea, Dreyden Daniels, Kyla Daniels, Presley Daniels, Logan Doster, Lucas Doster, Lillian Douglas, Taylor Edney, Ruby Griffith, Tyler Hall, Ceyonna Harmer, Delaney Hoffman, Hope-Lee Holiday, Miracle Holiday, Gracie Huckle, Jacob Hughes, Charleana Hughto, Cally Jenkins, Kendra Jenkins, Maylea Jenkins, Laraya Klock, Isabella Knowlton, Avalynn Langille, Yasmine Langille, Chase Lashbrooks, Baileigh Law, Kaitlyn Losey, Ryan MacCue, Adrianna Mashaw, Damynn Mashaw, Jase Mashaw, Avery McCaleb, Preston McConnell, Lainey McDougall, Olivia McDougall, Raeleigh McIntosh, Joicelyn McSweeney, Alexa Merkley, Robert Millemon, Lola Moller, Damian O’Riley, Brayden Olson, Brycen Parshley, Mya Risley, Evelyn Riutta, Jeiza Rodriguez, Ariyonna Savage, Lily Scott, Madison Sibley, Lorelei Slate, Lindonlee Smith, Sophia Smith, Maddix Sovie, Kaydence Taylor, Nora Tharaldsen, Peyton Travis, Carole Tulley, Daimon Tuttle, Izzabella Vann, Alana Velez, Celia Weekes, Kelsey Whitmore, and Isabella Zeller.
The concert concluded with thunderous applause for the student musicians and vocalists, and an encore performance of “I’ll Be There For You” from the Gouverneur Middle School Wildcat Chorus.
The following Eighth Grade Graduates were also recognized: From the Seventh and Eighth Concert Band: Damynn Mashaw, Anna Holcomb, Damian O’Riley, Gage Liscum, Olivia McDougall, Colton Hayden, Hannah White, Lily Scott, Matthew Duprey, Johnathan Hogle, Yasmine Langille, Daimon Tuttle, Avian Burt, Nicholas Poole, and Cruz Pawananon. Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestra: Taylor Edney, Adrianna Mashaw, MayLea Jenkins. Wildcat Chorus: Tristan Arquitt, Kaelyn Bishop, Aubrey Bristol, Lettie Brown, Avian Burt, Lucas Doster, Lillian Douglas, Taylor Edney, Jacob Hughes, Maylea Jenkins, Laraya Klock, Avalynn Langille, Yasmine Langille, Adrianna Mashaw, Damynn Mashaw, Olivia McDougall, Damian O’Riley, Lily Scott, Lorelei Slate, Lindonlee Smith, Maddix Sovie, Kaydence Taylor, Peyton Travis, Daimon Tuttle, Celia Weekes, and Isabella Zeller.
The following students were recognized for their participation in All-County: From the Seventh and Eighth Grade Concert Band: Damynn Mashaw, Olivia McDougall, Colton Hayden, Hannah White, Daimon Tuttle, and Avian Burt. Wildcat Chorus: Tristan Arquitt, Avian Burt, Laraya Klock, Avalynn Langille, Yasmine Langille, Adrianna Mashaw, Damynn Mashaw, Lola Moller, and Celia Weekes.
The following student were recognized for their participation in the NYSSMA Solo Fest: From the Seventh and Eighth Grade Concert Band: Damynn Mashaw, Hannah White, Avian Burt. From the Wildcat Chorus: Avian Burt, Dreyden Daniels, Taylor Edney, Damynn Mashaw, Celia Weekes.
Much appreciation was extended to the community members for their support of music education. A special word of gratitude was extended to the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education, Gouverneur CSD Superintendent of Schools Jackie Kelly, Gouverneur Middle School Principal Robert Kotz, GMS Assistant Principal Michael Hammond, Gouverneur CSD Office and Custodial Staff, GHS Principal Cory Wood, among many others for their support. For more information about the Gouverneur Central School District, visit www.gcsk12.org.