by Rachel Hunter
The musical abilities of students at the Gouverneur CSD High School were showcased during the Spring Concert on Thursday, May 15 at the GHS Auditorium.
The welcoming address was given by GHS Principal Nicole Donaldson, who lauded the great efforts of the student-musicians in the GHS String Orchestra, GHS Chorus, and GHS Concert Band in preparation for the concert.
The concert (conducted by GHS Orchestra Instructor Janeen Streeter, GHS Choral Instructor Brett Worden, and GHS Concert Band Instructor Olivia Montagno) commenced with a special Senior Night recognition. (See related story inside this edition.)
“Tonight’s performances represent not only countless hours of rehearsal but also the deep passion and dedication that our students bring to their craft,” Miss Streeter said.
Thunderous applause sounded as the ensembles took to the GHS Auditorium Stage. First up was the GHS String Orchestra, conducted by Janeen Streeter, which opened the concert with “Dramatic Essay” by Mark Williams. The crowd then enjoyed “Palladio,” by Karl Jenkins, student-conducted by GHS Sophomore Wyatt Slate, cellist. The String Orchestra then performed “Tarantella” by Squire featuring Wyatt Slate on cello. The String Orchestra then performed “Libertango” by Piazzolla/Kazik. The String Orchestra then concluded their portion of the concert with “The Best of Queen” featuring the classic “Another One Bites the Dust,” “We Will Rock You,” and We Are The Champions” as arranged by Larry Moore. In a final message, the students said: “As we rock out one more tune, we’d like to show our appreciation for your support of the arts in our school, and for encouraging us to shine bright as musicians. As Freddie Mercury would agree, we are the champions. Don’t stop us now.” The GHS String Orchestra includes the following student-musicians: Violin (Joseph Caplinger, Mya Connor, Taylor Edney, Anna Holcomb, Madison Hopper, Adrianna Mashaw, Jackson Ritchie, Samantha Thomas, Serenity Whitmarsh), Viola (Allysa Byrd, Brodey Daniels, Audrey Ormasen), Violoncello (Sophia Hewitt, Laina Kurdziel, Wyatt Slate, and Hannah White), and Double Bass (Alexander Hall).
The GHS Chorus, conducted by Brett Worden, performed “Over The Rainbow” arranged by Beck featuring solos from Antonio Calbo, Laraya Klock, Alexis Dake, Madison Hopper, Tiamane Hull, and Audrey Ormasen. Next was “Ease on Down the Yellow Brick Road” as arranged by Albrecht. The GHS Chorus then performed the ever-popular “For Good” as arranged by Huff, featuring the 2025 senior soloists Johnathan Andrews, Antonio Calbo, Hannah Dafoe, Alexis Dake, Madison Hopper, Tiamane Hull, Hannah Roderick, Lillianna Shippee, Akaysha Shippee-Ray, and Alyssa Stowell. The GHS Chorus portion of the concert concluded with “Home” as arranged by Beck. The GHS Chorus includes the following student-vocalists: Soprano (Kaelyn Bishop, Abriana Casey, Jaylynn Dalton, Taylor Edney, Olivia McDougall, Lilly Moore, Audrey Ormasen, Hannah Roderick, Brianna Scott, Lily Scott, Akaysha Shippee-Ray, Arianna Sibley, Alyssa Stowell, Celia Weekes, and Serenity Whitmarsh), Alto (Cassidy Chambers, Alexis Dake, Hannah Dafoe, Lillian Douglas, Alyssa Farr, Madison Hopper, Vanessa Horne, Laraya Klock, Briahna McGill, Emma Petrie, Cheyenne Rathbun, Lillianna Shippee, Stephanie Sibley, Lorelei Slate, Sikoya Whitmarsh, Kailey Williams, Jada Windover, Isabella Zeller), and Baritone (Johnathan Andrews, Tristan Arquitt, Kylen Bowman, Avian Burt, Antonio Calbo, Liam Gallagher, Alexander Hall, Jacob Hughes, Tiamane Hull, Owen Perry, Jackson Ritchie, Zackery Schiszler, Lindonlee Smith, and Maddix Sovie).
The GHS Concert Band, conducted by Olivia Montagno, performed “Choose Joy” by Randall Standridge featuring soloists Tiamane Hull (flute) and Carly Bartholomew (clarinet). The Concert Band then performed “Amazing Grace” by John Newton and arranged by Frank Ticheli featuring soloist Olivia McDougall (alto saxophone). The GHS Concert Band then debuted the 2025 Gouverneur Wildcat Marching Band Medley, which includes “Viva La Vida” arr. by Brown, “Handclap” arr. by Murtha, and “Shut Up And Dance” arr. by Adams. The medley included a tuba solo by Robert Kulp. The GHS Concert Band then closed out the concert with a concerto for drumset and concert band, featuring GHS Senior Gavin Davis (drumset). The GHS Concert Band included the following student-musicians: Flute (Joseph Caplinger, Kylie Gallagher, Anna Holcomb, Tiamane Hull), Clarinet (Carly Bartholomew, Paige Kirby, Tanner Knight, Stephanie Sibley), Bassoon (Samantha Thomas), Alto Saxophone (Alexis Dake, Gage Liscum, Olivia McDougall), Tenor Saxophone (Hailey Trimm), Baritone Saxophone (Colton Hayden), Trumpet (Lily Scott, Gabe Strickland, Isabella Zeller, Malique Zeller), French Horn (Kelvin Bice III, Hannah White, Sikoya Whitmarsh), Trombone (Brendan Campbell, Nathaniel Celley, Zorien Fuller, Johnathan Hogle, Brianna Scott, Garrison White), Euphonium (Louis Beaver, Dallas Doxtater, Payton Kirby, Laina Kurdziel), Tuba (Robert Kulp), and Percussion (Avian Burt, Gavin Davis, Liam Gallagher, Norris LaRue, Cruz Pawananon, Mason Tribble).
The Gouverneur CSD Music Department recognized the following members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society: Mya Connor, Madison Hopper, Jackson Ritchie, Serenity Whitmarsh, Audrey Ormasen, Laina Kurdziel, Wyatt Slate, Alexander Hall, Abriana Casey, Jaylynn Dalton, Hannah Roderick, Brianna Scott, Akaysha Shippee-Ray, Arianna Sibley, Serenity Whitmarsh, Cassidy Chambers, Hannah Dafoe, Lillianna Shippee, Kylen Bowman, Liam Gallagher, Tiamane Hull, Carly Bartholomew, Malique Zeller, and Gavin Davis.
The following students were recognized for participating in the NYSSMA Solo Festival: Joseph Caplinger, Taylor Edney, Anna Holcomb, Adrianna Mashaw, Jackson Ritchie, Samantha Thomas, Serenity Whitmarsh, Audrey Ormasen, Sophia Hewitt, Laina Kurdziel, Wyatt Slate, Hannah White, Alexander Hall, Abriana Casey, Jaylynn Dalton, Taylor Edney, Olivia McDougall, Lilly Moore, Hannah Roderick, Brianna Scott, Lily Scott, Akysha Shippee-Ray, Arianna Sibley, Celia Weekes, Cassidy Chambers, Hannah Dafoe, Alyssa Farr, Madison Hopper, Laraya Klock, Briahna McGill, Lillianna Shippee, Kylen Bowman, Avian Burt, Liam Gallagher, Tiamane Hull, Jackson Ritchie, Zackery Schiszler, Kylie Gallagher, Anna Holcomb, Samantha Thomas, Kelvin Bice III, and Avian Burt.
The following student-vocalists were in All-County Chorus: Abriana Casey, Jaylynn Dalton, Audrey Ormasen, Brianna Scott, Akaysha Shippee-Ray, Arianna Sibley, Hannah Dafoe, Alyssa Farr, Tristan Arquitt, Kylen Bowman, Avian Burt, Antonio Calbo, Liam Gallagher, Alexander Hall, Tiamane Hull, Jackson Ritchie, and Zackery Schiszler.
The following student-vocalist was in All-County Select Chorus: Hannah Dafoe.
The following student-vocalists were in Area All State-Chorus: Audrey Ormasen, Akaysha Shippee-Ray, Arianna Sibley, Hannah Dafoe, Alyssa Farr, Kylen Bowman, Alexander Hall, Tiamane Hull, and Jackson Ritchie.
The following student-vocalist was selected as Conference All-State Alternate: Hannah Dafoe.
Thunderous applause sounded for the success of all the students in the Gouverneur CSD Music Program.
Much appreciation was extended throughout the concert for the community’s support of music education at the Gouverneur Central School District. Special appreciation was extended to the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education, Gouverneur CSD Superintendent of Schools Jackie Kelly, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Jessica Sullivan, GHS Principal Nicole Donaldson, Assistant GHS Principal Margeaux Davis, GHS Office Staff Michelle Hassett and Amy Barr, Gouverneur CSD custodial staff, and to the Gouverneur CSD Music Department. For more information about the Gouverneur Central School District, visit www.gcsk12.org.