by Phillip Zema
On Saturday March 27, Rensselaer County’s finest student musicians performed at the Berlin High School. The annual Rensselaer All-County Concert, which had representatives from thirteen area schools, featured an elementary band, junior chorus, jazz chorus and senior band. For hundreds of yards, both sides of Route 22 were lined with vehicles. Those in attendance were treated to a series of well performed classical and contemporary musical works.
The event began with an introduction from Dr. Catherine Allain, Berlin’s Middle School Principal. She thanked the school’s music department, the musicians, the student volunteers and the music teachers. Michael Patrizio then conducted the elementary band, whose songs included “Do-Re-Mi” and “What a Wonderful World.” Patrizio raved about the students, exclaiming that “the future of music in Rensselaer County is rock solid.” He then acknowledged the teachers who played an integral role in the young musicians’ development. Berlin Central was represented by clarinetists Christina Shupe and Emma Woolley and trumpeters Ioann Popov, Jackson Burhans and Matt Moran. Hoosick Falls’ students included bass clarinetist Darrel Holovach, baritone saxophonist Eric Santiago, trumpeter Jake Kinney, tuba player Isaac Smith, trombonists Kaitlin Backus and percussionist Stephen Surdam.
The junior chorus was led by David Rossi, a music teacher from the Schenectady
City School District. He commended the students and teachers for their weeks of relentless practice and dedication. The choir’s songs included “Rhythm of Life,” “Shenandoah,” and “How Can I Keep from Singing.” Berlin Central’s singers were sopranos Reesa Harrell, Danielle Jones and Kelsey O’Dell; altos Chiara Dreher, Katie Gallucci and Jodi Thomas and baritones Bernard Crawford, Walter Harrington and Andrew Oathout. Hoosick Falls was represented by sopranos Julia Baker and Katherine Danforth and altos Samantha Brewer and Madison Greenwood.
The jazz chorus sang a number of catchy tunes, including “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” “Everybody Loves My Baby” and a rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which was accompanied by an electric guitarist and by a number of soloist, including Berlin Central’s Rachel Gordon. The chorus was conducted by Laura Osgood, who will soon begin her PH.D. program. Tonya Brock (soprano), Scott Bamba (tenor) and Rachel Gordon (alto) represented Berlin Central; soprano Kara Gardner and alto Maeghan DiMaggio represented Hoosick Falls Central.
The concert finished with the senior band’s performance. Led by Troy music instructor Robert Bennett, the band played Sousa’s “Black Horse Troop,” “Amazing Grace,” “Courtly Airs and Dances,” and “The Great Locomotive Chase.” Berlin Central was represented by flutists Emily Olson, Melissa Dawes, Kayleigh Corrado and Kathy Amendolara; Berlin Central’s Brandi Hoffman and Caitlyn Hungerford played clarinet. Eric Viner was the concert’s lone contralto clarinet, and Llew Palmer and Larry Oligney were in the percussion section. Hoosick Falls Central’s representatives included clarinetists Samantha Middleton, Samantha Skott, Allison Philpott and Demitri Tracy. John Kaufman and James Willette played the alto saxophone; William Haupt was the band’s sole baritone saxophonist. Hoosick Falls was also represented by trumpeters Deanna Dubois and Nick Downing, trombonists Nathaniel Libby and Josh Harrison, percussionist Adam Frazier and melodic percussionist Amanda Middleton.