Music And High Spirits At BCS
Submitted by Rachel Turetsky
The Berlin Central School District presented the first All-District Instrumental Music Concert on Wednesday, June 5. The evening opened with welcomes from the elementary principal, Mrs. Tracy Kent, and the Middle-High School principal, Dr. Cathie Allain.
The Percussion Ensemble kicked things off with “Festa” and were featured throughout the evening’s program.
The 4th and 5th grade Elementary School Bands, under the direction of Ms. Bethanie Keem, also took the big stage at the Middle-High School. A guest “shark conductor” helped with their “Baby Shark” number, concluding the elementary program on a thrilling note.
Mrs. Jessica Gould’s middle and high school bands performed for the rest of the evening. The selections ranged from the classics to newer music from the group, Panic! At the Disco.
The shark was not the only guest conductor of the evening. Four of Mrs. Gould’s middle and high school students were selected to have the honor as well.
The 6th grade band had fellow member Jayli Capasso lead them on “Tambora!” and senior Greta Hermann conducted their performance of “Festival Overture.” Hermann has taken time out of her senior schedule this year to assist Mrs. Gould with the 6th grade musicians as well.
Seniors Sam Moore and Kyle Fiske also had the baton. Moore conducted “Nine in the Afternoon” a piece by one of her favorite groups, the aforementioned Panic! At the Disco, which was arranged by Mrs. Gould. Fiske, a trumpet player and member of the Percussion Ensemble, directed the seniors in the “Last Ride of the Pony Express.”
The evening concluded with over 150 students from grades 4-12 performing a rousing grand finale of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” arranged by Mrs. Gould and Ms. Keem.
The musical performers hope that the public will be at the 4th of July Parade in Berlin this summer to catch the BCSD Parade Band.