District News

Canajoharie hosts successful NYSSMA Festival

 

May, 2011

 

On May 6 and 7, Canajoharie Central School hosted to the New York State School Music Association’s 2011 Music Festival. About 1,000 students from 55 schools came to be judged on their musical abilities. They were accompanied by hundreds of parents and teachers. About 20 adjudicators from around the state heard vocal, band, and orchestra students play their best music hoping to earn top scores.

Several Canajoharie students participated and earned outstanding scores in their levels including a few perfect scores. In addition to festival adjudicators, Canajoharie students performed for all-state judges. This gives students an opportunity to participate in the statewide festival held in December.

Students who participated included: (Vocal Strings) Catie Banks, Hannah Bowerman, Melissa Bowley (All-State), Madeline Cole, Catie Corrigan (All-State), Morgan Deon, Kathi Diem, Nathan Ferguson,
Seth Ferguson (All-State), Morgan Koelbl, Raven Manchester. Alyssa Mason, Cassie O’Neil, Ashley Oeser, Katherine Rockwell (All-State), Michael Shariff, Jenna Sierra, Jodi Streath (All-State), Christina Towse, Rosemary Trahan, Claudia Vetter, Noah Watson, and Hanna Wilday. (Strings) Jake Brody, Madeline Cole, Nathan Ferguson, Kristina Gloskey, Amanda Hutt, Ronnie McFarlane, Ruben McFarlane, Sylvia McFarlane, Paige Shovelton, Bailey Smith, Scott Swartz, Gordon Trahan, and Alex Vroman. (Band)Tyler Bell, Ari Boslet Jake Brody, Morgan Chapman, Ronnie McFarlane, Sylvia McFarlane, Raven Manchester, Lauren Mayer, Cassie O’Neil, Baighly Sanders, and Paige Shovelton.

Preparing for this event took months of planning by the Music Department. Each of the four music teachers shared in the effort. Tim Field, music chairman, said he would volunteer to do it again. "we have a great team," he said.

Students, parents, teachers and community members also pitched in to be room monitors, runners, sorters, data entry operators, concession workers and registration staff. Local businesses such as the Elephant Bistro, Jerry Gadwas’ Piano Workshop and John Keal Music Company all provided services.

“We wanted to show off our great school and the terrific music students we are so proud of,” said Sue Crua, Canajoharie vocal music teacher.