by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur Central School District hosted the Gouverneur High School Small Ensembles Concert on Jan. 30.
A warm welcome was given by GHS Principal Nicole Donaldson. The crowd sat on the edge of their seats, as the talented student-musicians and vocalists took to the auditorium stage for a special evening of music.
The GHS Chamber Singers, directed by Choral Instructor Brett Worden, paid tribute to Audrey Snyder, a well-known choral composer who passed away on Jan. 22. The GHS Chamber Singers performed her arrangement of the folk-rock, folk-chamber ballad “Can’t Catch Me Now” by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. Soloists included Taylor Edney, Brianna Scott, Lily Scott, Avian Burt, Alexander Hall, Liam Gallagher, and Hannah Dafoe. The Chamber Singers then wowed the crowd with songs from the musical, “Anastasia,” including “Once Upon A December” (featured soloist Jaylynn Dalton), and “Journey To The Past” (featured soloists Lillianna Shippee, Akaysha Shippee-Ray, and Audrey Ormasen). The Chamber Singers include the following student-vocalists: Abriana Casey, Jaylynn Dalton, Taylor Edney, Audrey Ormasen, Brianna Scott, Akaysha Shippee-Ray, Arianna Sibley, Cassidy Chambers, Hannah Dafoe, Alexis Dake, Alyssa Farr, Madison Hopper, Olivia McDougall, Lily Scott, Lillianna Shippee, Avian Burt, Liam Gallagher, Alexander Hall, Jackson Ritchie, and Zackery Schiszler.
The GHS Select Strings, directed by Instrumental Music Instructor Janeen Streeter, included the following: Audrey Ormasen (viola), Wyatt Slate (violoncello), Alexander Hall (double bass), and Janeen Streeter (violin). The Select Strings performed “Prelude for Cello” arr. by Lewis, “A Thousand Years” arr. by Moore (featured vocal soloist Audrey Ormasen), and “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” by W. A. Mozart.
The GCS Jazz Band, directed by Instrumental Music Instructor Olivia Montagno, performed “Play That Funky Music” arr. by Victor Lopez, “Pure Imagination” arr. by Craig Skeffington (featuring Hailey Trimm on saxophone), and “Crazy Train” as arr. by Paul Murtha (featuring guitar solo by Nathaniel Celley). The GCS Jazz Band includes the following student-musicians: Joseph Caplinger (flute), Kylie Gallagher (flute), Tiamane Hull (flute), Hailey Trimm (saxophone), Mr. Brett Worden (saxophone), Nicholas Bloxham (trumpet), Malique Zeller (trumpet), Hannah White (French horn), Dallas Doxtater (euphonium), Carly Bartholomew (keyboard), Nathaniel Celley (guitar), Jackson Ritchie (bass), Liam Gallagher (mallets), Avian Burt (percussion), Gavin Davis (percussion), and Cruz Pawananon (percussion).
Much appreciation was extended to the community for their support of music education in the Gouverneur Central School District. Special gratitude was extended to GCS Superintendent of Schools Jackie Kelly, Assistant Superintendent Jessica Sullivan, GHS Principal Nicole Donaldson, Assistant GHS Principal Margeaux Davis, A/V Technician Richard Patton, Gouverneur CSD Board of Education, and the Gouverneur CSD custodial staff. For more information about Gouverneur CSD, visit www.gcsk12.org.