submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, Berlin Central School District
On November 15, Berlin Middle School/High School hosted the Rensselaer County School Music Association (RCSMA) All-County Ensemble Festival with four musical performances comprised of select ensembles from 14 school districts within the county.
This Festival’s program featured an elementary school chorus, a senior chorus, a jazz ensemble and a junior band. Each ensemble also featured local and renowned conductors including Katie Gardiner, elementary school chorus, Christina Pizzino-Catalano, senior chorus, Brian Carucci, jazz ensemble, and Michael Graves, junior band.
Ensembles are comprised of each school district’s most outstanding and committed student-musicians, with the intent that they will bring the music ensembles and lessons they have learned back to their schools to positively influence their school district’s music program.
Students enjoy working with peers from other schools and benefit from the expertise of their guest conductors.
“I really enjoyed working with our conductor Michal Graves, as well as with all the other students,” said Brett Harris, tenor saxophone player in the junior band. “He definitely pushed us to our full extent, and we worked together like a well-oiled machine.”
The RCSMA holds two ensemble festivals a year as well as a scholarship festival in the spring. The participating school districts take turns hosting the event. According to Berlin High School Choral Director Leslie Eliashuk, hosting allows the district to showcase their facility and it gives a chance for the whole school to be involved.
“It’s good for bigger school districts to be able to come to Berlin to see what we bring to the event,” she said. “We utilize the entire school, from our food service to student tour guides. Even our student musicians not selected for the event participate through ensemble assistance and light operation – it’s a community effort.”
The next festival will be held February 1 at Troy CSD, featuring the County’s junior choir, elementary school band, jazz choir and senior high school band.