Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School continued the Rocky Point Spring Concert series with a superb Spring Concert at the High School auditorium on May 10. The JAE 3rd Grade Chorus, under the direction of Mr. Craig Knapp, began the concert with a fun program that included “Firefly,” where the children and audience lit up the auditorium with flashlights! Their set of songs also included a special song for Mother’s Day, “I Love My Mom,” where third grade student Ella Pizzo led the chorus with American Sign Language. The JAE 3rd Grade Chorus students were taught the American Sign Language included in this piece by Middle School ASL teacher Mrs. Eileen Fioto. The 3rd Grade Chorus was accompanied by the multitalented Miss Monastero, who is the band director at JAE.
The 4th Grade Orchestra then took the stage under the baton of Mr. Dave Ventura. This was the first time a fourth grade instrumental ensemble graced the stage in a Rocky Point concert in over 30 years! They performed a very challenging program and the students were very well prepared. Closing the evening was the 5th Grade Band, under the baton of the newest member of the Rocky Point music department, Miss Cailyn Monastero. The 5th Grade Band performed a fun program that included wonderful performances of familiar folk songs, “Go Tell Aunt Rhodie” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” The students enjoyed performing and the audience received the concert with favorable applause.
A congratulatory message from Rocky Point music department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher read: “The wonderful concert that the children performed is a true testament to their hard work, effort and dedication. The students have spent countless hours rehearsing before school while building teamwork and musical skills leading up to this performance. They performed with great joy and artistry and it was an honor to be a part of such a special evening. We are very proud of these amazing student musicians and they deserve the highest praise for their accomplishments. Special congratulations to Miss Monastero for doing a superb job leading her children in her first ever concert as JAE 5th Grade Band director. Thank you to the families of these terrific students for all of their support and encouragement. Thank you to all of the administrators and Board of Education members in Rocky Point for their continued support of our music programs.”
Mr. Knapp added, “I really appreciated watching the process unfold and seeing the progress the students made during their five months of rehearsals leading into their concert night. It is a pleasure to work with Miss Monastero and Mr. Ventura. They are both incredibly hardworking, dedicated and very talented music educators.”
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Date Added: 5/20/2024