Starting in fifth grade, JPS students have the opportunity to join their schools’ instrumental music program as well as their school choir. Later this month, fourth graders from each of the district’s five elementary schools will take a special field trip to Jamestown High School to help them learn about the exciting music opportunities that await them in middle and high school.

“At that assembly, they’ll be treated to a real spectacle of a concert performed by teachers and high school students that will showcase all of the different band and orchestra instruments,” said Dr. Carrie Pawelski, band director at Jefferson Middle School.

Students will then have a chance to try out all the instruments for themselves when the music department holds its first-ever “Instrument Try-Out Day” on Saturday, April 15 at Washington Middle School. Fourth grade students and families are invited to attend and are encouraged to be on the lookout for more information.

The music department continues to also afford incredible opportunities for students across the district. Some highlights include:

Washington Middle School student Trenton Greenland celebrates his commitment to play in the school’s band. Incoming middle school students will have the chance to try out an instrument during an event at Washington on April 15.

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SOLO FESTIVAL

Top musicians from all over Chautauqua County gathered at Fredonia High School to perform solo pieces of music in front of adjudicators. Of the 375 students who prepared a solo for the festival, 50 were JPS students.

“All were very successful,” Pawelski said of the process, open to students in grades 6-12. “They prepare their solo work, memorize scales and have to sight read an excerpt of music in front of a judge who critiques them and gives them a score. For students in grades 7-12, this performance serves as an audition for placement into the all county honor bands that perform at Chautauqua Institution each spring.”

SECOND ANNUAL ALL CITY BAND

Top students from each middle school band were selected to form an honors band this winter. For five weeks, students rehearsed every Wednesday night with all four of the district’s band teachers. Rehearsals and the concert were all held at JHS allowing the students the opportunity to see what it will be like for them as band members at the high school.

“The students had fun making friends with band members from other schools and working with the other teachers,” Pawelski noted. “The kids worked hard and sounded incredible at their concert!”

“It was so fun to meet new friends and all of the other band teachers,” said Sophia Napollilo, a 7th grade percussionist who was selected to perform. “I learned a lot more about percussion and I really got better. It was so fun to play in a band that was THAT good!”

BEGINNING BAND CONCERTS

All three middle schools held their Beginning Bands’ First Concerts before Mid-Winter Break.

“The new class of band students has been working so hard at each middle school and they all gave outstanding performances,” added Pawelski. “It is so exciting for students to be up on stage and under the spotlights for the first time as band members and perhaps even more exciting for their families to see them. We’re so excited to see where these students go from here!”

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY WINTER FESTIVAL

Jamestown Public Schools was well represented at the Chautauqua County Music Teachers Association All-County Winter Festival on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Maple Grove Jr./Sr. High School.

Nine middle school band students from Washington and Persell middle schools — Adryen Bradley, Jenna Benning, Donovan Cruz Santiago, Anthony Sanchez Toro, Julia Stormont, Evan Parinella, Lauralye Seekins, Aaliyah Rivera, and Madeline Sipior — were selected to perform in the CCMTA All-County Winter Festival Band.

Twelve JHS orchestra students were selected to perform with the Senior High String Orchestra: Matthew Ramirez, Nilla Ecklof, Madeline DeJoy, Elsa Lumia, Zoey Shimmel, Stavros Singleton, Rhiannon Bogardus, Brighton Lumia, Nichole Iacuzzo, Madison Terry, Lilly Johnson and Kelianet Torres Marrero.