by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur High School Small Ensembles Concert on January 29 highlighted the dedication, discipline, and growing artistry of the district’s student musicians, offering the community a wide‑ranging showcase of developing talent across strings, jazz, and vocal performance.
GHS Principal Nicole Donaldson opened the evening with a warm welcome, commending both students and staff for their commitment to the music program.
The concert began with a featured performance by Select String, directed by Miss Janeen Streeter. The ensemble—Emma Riutta (violin), Serenity Smith (violin), Audrey Ormasen (viola), Wyatt Slate (violoncello), and Alexander Hall (double bass)—guided listeners through a trio of works that carried rich musical histories and showcased the students’ developing technical and expressive abilities.
The program opened with “El Toro” by Don Brubaker, a lively piece infused with Spanish rhythmic character. Brubaker, known for crafting accessible yet engaging works for young string players, wrote “El Toro” to introduce students to the bold, dance‑like energy of traditional Spanish music. Its syncopated lines and spirited tempo allowed the ensemble to demonstrate precision and confidence right from the start.
The tone shifted with “Swan Lake” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, arranged for student strings by Michael Hopkins. Tchaikovsky’s 1877 ballet remains one of the most beloved works in classical repertoire, celebrated for its sweeping melodies and emotional depth. Hopkins’ arrangement distills the ballet’s iconic themes into a version suited for young musicians while preserving the haunting elegance of the original. The ensemble’s performance captured the ballet’s sense of longing and grace, offering a reflective moment in the program.
The set concluded with “Battle” by Soon Hee Newbold, a contemporary favorite among youth orchestras. Newbold—whose background in film scoring shapes her dramatic, cinematic style—composed “Battle” to evoke the intensity of epic conflict through driving rhythms and bold harmonies. The students delivered the piece with focus and energy, bringing the concert to a powerful close.
The response was enthusiastic, recognizing the students’ hard work and the thoughtful direction of Miss Streeter.
The concert at continued with a vibrant shift in style as the Gouverneur CSD Jazz Band, directed by Mrs. Olivia Dearbeck, delivered a dynamic set that blended modern pop, soulful swagger, and classic big‑band swing. Though the audience was modest in size, the performance carried the full spirit of a jazz‑club showcase, highlighting both the versatility of the ensemble and the dedication of its young musicians.
The band opened with “Dynamite,” arranged by John Wasson, a high‑energy chart based on the global pop hit originally recorded by Taio Cruz. Wasson’s arrangement transforms the radio favorite into a brassy, rhythm‑driven jazz piece, giving student musicians a chance to explore syncopation, punchy horn lines, and the kind of upbeat groove that immediately lifts a room. The ensemble leaned into the arrangement’s brightness, setting an exciting tone for the rest of the set.
Next came “Feelin’ Good,” arranged by Rick Sitzel, a song with a long and storied history. Originally written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1964 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd, the piece became iconic through Nina Simone’s 1965 recording, later revived by artists across genres—from Michael Bublé to contemporary jazz ensembles. Sitzel’s arrangement captures the song’s smoky, dramatic flair, giving young performers room to explore expressive phrasing and bold dynamic contrasts. The band’s interpretation brought a soulful depth to the evening, showcasing their ability to shift from pop brightness to jazz moodiness with ease.
The set concluded with “Sing, Sing, Sing,” arranged by Vince Gassi, a timeless swing classic rooted in the big‑band era. Originally composed by Louis Prima in 1936 and made legendary by Benny Goodman’s 1937 Carnegie Hall performance, the piece remains one of the most recognizable works in American jazz history. Gassi’s arrangement distills the driving rhythms, call‑and‑response brass lines, and infectious energy of the original into a version accessible for student musicians. The Gouverneur ensemble embraced the challenge, delivering a spirited finale that echoed the exuberance of the swing era.
The student musicians featured in the performance included: Kylie Gallagher (flute), Hailey Trimm (saxophone), Olivia McDougall (saxophone), Curtis Terpstra (saxophone), Lily Scott (trumpet), Hannah White (French horn), Brianna Scott (trombone), Dallas Doxtater (euphonium), Jackson Ritchie (bass), Alexander Hall (bass), Liam Gallagher (mallets), Avian Burt (percussion), Tyler Markwick (percussion), and Cruz Pawananon (percussion).
Under Mrs. Dearbeck’s direction, the Jazz Band demonstrated not only technical growth but a genuine feel for the stylistic nuances that make jazz such a compelling art form. Their performance added color, contrast, and historical depth to the concert—proving once again that Gouverneur’s student-musicians are capable of bringing both heart and history to the stage.
The concert continued with a rich and expressive choral set as the GHS Chamber Singers, directed by Mr. Brett Worden, brought depth, history, and vocal precision to the stage. Though the audience was modest, the ensemble delivered a performance that showcased both their musical maturity and the thoughtful programming behind the evening.
The Chamber Singers opened with “Carol of the Bells,” arranged by Peter Wilhousky, a piece whose origins stretch back to a Ukrainian New Year’s folk chant known as Shchedryk. Composed by Mykola Leontovych in 1916, the original melody symbolized prosperity and the coming of spring. Wilhousky’s 1936 English adaptation transformed the tune into the Christmas classic recognized today, emphasizing its driving ostinato and bell‑like vocal patterns. The Chamber Singers embraced the arrangement’s crisp rhythms and layered harmonies, creating a shimmering, atmospheric start to their set.
The mood shifted with “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” arranged by Andy Beck, a beloved standard first published in 1931. Written by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt with lyrics by Gus Kahn, the song has been recorded by countless artists, most famously by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong in 1950 and later by Cass Elliot of The Mamas & The Papas in 1968. Beck’s choral arrangement captures the song’s nostalgic warmth and gentle swing, giving the ensemble space to explore blend, phrasing, and expressive nuance. Their performance offered a tender contrast to the intensity of the opening number.
The set concluded with “Seize the Day,” arranged by Roger Emerson, a rousing anthem from the 1992 Disney film Newsies with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman. The song—later featured prominently in the Broadway adaptation—embodies themes of courage, unity, and youthful determination. Emerson’s arrangement channels that spirit into a choral setting full of momentum and optimism. The Chamber Singers delivered it with conviction, closing their program on a triumphant note.
The ensemble featured a strong roster of vocalists:
Sopranos — Jaylynn Dalton, Taylor Edney, Olivia McDougall, Alexa Merkley, Brianna Scott, Madison Sibley, and Lily Scott.
Altos — Abriana Casey, Cassidy Chambers, Alyssa Farr, Audrey Ormasen, Arianna Sibley, and Kailey Williams.
Baritones — Evan Bishop, Kylen Bowman, Avian Burt, Liam Gallagher, Alexander Hall, Jacob Hughes, J.D. Minckler, Jackson Ritchie, and Zackery Schiszler.
Under Mr. Worden’s direction, the Chamber Singers demonstrated impressive versatility—moving seamlessly from folk‑inspired choral tradition to jazz‑era nostalgia to Broadway‑style uplift. Their performance added emotional breadth to the Small Ensembles Concert and highlighted the strength of vocal music at Gouverneur High School.
The GHS Small Ensembles Concert once again demonstrated the strength of Gouverneur’s music program and the meaningful opportunities it provides for student performers to explore, grow, and share their craft with the community, earning thunderous applause from those in attendance.
A special word of appreciation was extended to Gouverneur CSD Superintendent Jackie Kelly, Assistant Superintendent Jessica Sullivan, High School Principal Nicole Donaldson, Assistant Principal Margeaux Davis, High School Secretaries Michelle Hassett and Amy Barr, AV Richard Patton, the Gouverneur CSD Board of Education, and the custodial staff. For more information about Gouverneur CSD, visit www.gcsk12.org.