by Bea Peterson
The HFCS Music Dept. is finally getting some respect. “Kids are beginning to understand that Band and Chorus take as much practice and lessons as any school sport,” said Chorus member Tyler Brewer. “A lot of us are dedicated to what we do, just like the athletes.” And like the successful athletic teams in the school, the Music Department has had more than its share of success this year. On May 27 the Junior Band, the Symphonic Band and the Treble Chorus participated in Trills & Thrills, a musical mini-fest, in Springfield, MA, as part of the Six Flags New England Festival. Twenty-five bands, choruses and one orchestra participated in the program. The groups performed for 10 to 12 minutes each and were judged on several aspects of their musical ability. The Junior Band received a bronze medal and the Symphonic Band and the Treble Chorus each received silver medals and a Superior rating. It’s the highest level of success the Music Department has had in years. Music teachers Rob Allen and Ambigay Yudkoff are extremely proud of their students. A small group of them, along with the teachers, recently talked about the Festival experience. Going into it, they knew they were well prepared and they were happy with the music they chose. John Hoffman had a solo in the Symphonic Band. He said he was very nervous about that, but once the solo was out of the way, as well as the Band’s more serious piece, he just relaxed and enjoyed it. The Chorus sang the same songs they did at the Troy Music Hall. “It was amazing,” said Yudkoff. She said a piece of music flew off the piano while Bill Brown was playing. She bent down, picked it up and put it back on the piano and the Chorus never missed a beat! Tyler admitted that after performing in Carnegie Hall, Springfield was easy. “The more we go out, the more relaxed we become,” added Yudkoff. After their great performance in Springfield, they all received performing arts T-shirts and spend the afternoon at the Five Flags Amusement Park. It was an exciting fun day for everyone. Their successes at the event was the best the HFCS music department has done in many years. School superintendent Ken Facin promised the bands and chorus a pizza party if they were successful in Springfield. Last week he had to keep that promise.
Other Great Moments
This school year the Chorus has sung in Carnegie Hall, Troy Music Hall and participated in the WMHT Christmas program. They have also sung for the Hoosick Falls Kiwanis Club, sung in the Swing Choir for All County and the regular All County program. That doesn’t count the many times they have performed at school functions.
The school has several bands. There is the Symphonic Band, the Concert Bands, the Senior Band, the Jazz Band and the Junior Band. Allen said, for the Band, “Our Carnegie Hall was playing on the concourse under the Plaza in Albany.”
The Jazz Band, conducted by elementary music teacher Bill Brown has performed at the Schaghticoke Fair, the Taste of Hoosick, the Kiwanis Club, the Grange in nursing homes and in the gazebo the day of the Village clean-up. They have performed school programs, of course, and as part of the DARE program. “People who might not come to a concert have had opportunities to hear them this year,” said Allen. The Band always marches in the Memorial Day Parade and participates in the events in the Park after the parade. And let’s not forget the Pep Band. They have been a phenomenal hit at sports events. “We perform at all the home football games and at all sectional games,” said Allen. With more singers and musicians coming up from the lower grades, it appears the Music program will be strong for years to come.
