Castelli Visits to Thank Fox Lane MS Music Students

Shortly before school let out, music students at Fox Lane Middle School were invited to a surprise gathering Wednesday afternoon, in which Assemblyman Robert Castelli thanked them for a recent visit to Albany.

The students ranged from 6th to 8th graders and were part of the Honors Choir, Bel Canto Vocal Ensemble and a Jazz Ensemble. They traveled to Albany in March after being invited for "Music in Our Schools Month," an event sponsored by the New York State Music School Association.

Castelli, who at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, congratulated the students and presented their Certificates of Merit, which include photos of them at the state house in Albany, posing in front of what the assemblyman called the "million-dollar staircase."

He noted that choir students, while in Albany, even performed in the assembly chamber, and got the interest of Speaker Sheldon Silver. Their routine was described by Castelli as "impromptu."At another point in the students' visit, they encountered a political protest, which Sarah Fay, a choral director, jokingly thanked the assemblyman for "planning" for them.

"I want to thank you so much," Fay said to Castelli. She teaches Bel Canto and the Honors Choir.

Joseph Bergamini, who teaches the jazz emsemble, said it was "a good trip for the students," who got to "see how government works."

The following students were honored (listed provided by Castelli's office):