GCSD sends 18 musicians to Suburban Scholastic Council Music Festival

GUILDERLAND — Eighteen Guilderland students have been selected to participate in the Suburban Scholastic Council Music Festival, to be held at Scotia-Glenville High School on Saturday, Jan. 16.

Over 300 talented music students were chosen from the 13 Suburban Council schools. The GCSD groups performing this year include a high school band, chorus, and orchestra, as well as a middle school jazz band.

Performing in the symphony orchestra under the direction of cellist Dr. David Bebe (from The College of Saint Rose) will be Angelo Amore, clarinet; Dan Bemis, horn; Nicole Chiang, violin; and Alana Lake, cello.

The concert band includes students Isabella Wu, clarinet; Matt Creighton, alto sax; Mary Kate Sweeney, trumpet; Patrick Winslow, horn; Jacob Cornetti Skott, euphonium; Jason Sindoni, tuba; and Thomas Jambunathan and Belen Marriage on percussion. They will perform under the direction of Bill Tiberio (from Fairport High School).

Vocalists selected to sing with the concert choir include Sean Donnelly, Avery Heaney, Alexandria Lyles, and Natalie Russo. These students will perform under the direction of Woodrow Bynum (of Cathedral of All Saints).

Nick Castillo on alto sax and Matt Dunn, percussion, were selected by audition to play in the middle school jazz ensemble, led by jazz educator Mike Benedict.

These students were taught by Susan Curro, Kathleen Ehlinger, Claudia Feeney, Lee Russo, Rae Jean Teeter, Jason Utter, and Alexis Ziomek.

The Jan. 16 concert begins at 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Additional information is available through Music Administrator Lori Hershenhart at 518-861-8591, ext. 1106.

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.