Hendrick Hudson Fifth & Sixth Graders Sing at All County Event

On Saturday, March 14th, twelve Hendrick Hudson students participated in the Westchester Elementary All-County Chorus concert at SUNY Purchase. This is an incredible opportunity for young singers to learn challenging repertoire and perform with some of the best vocalists in the county. Under the direction of Dr. Susan Avery, their guest conductor from Ithaca College, the students performed five pieces demonstrating their hard work and commitment.

Their concert program included a classical piece by Franz Schubert, a lullaby sung in Spanish, and a peaceful song in which the students used sign language, among others. The students spent many hours after school learning the music with their music teachers Rebecca Correllus (Frank G. Lindsey School), Kimberly Dunkin (Blue Mountain Middle School) and Jacob Hefele (Furnace Woods School and Buchanan-Verplanck School). “I am so proud of the work these young musicians have accomplished in preparation for this concert,” said Dunkin. “Their performance was truly one of the most inspiring experiences I have been a part of and it was a joy to see them beaming on stage.”

The 5th and 6th graders who performed were: Isabella DeBenedictis, Norah Duraes, Nish Mistry, and Daniel Sanjay Saleem, (FGL); Sabrina Antman, Mackenzie Calhoun, Gianna DeLorenzo, and Sophia Sklar (FWS); and Rebecca Fareed, Noah Lipton, Fiona McGovern, and Kalani Mims (BMMS).

“It is such a pleasure to work with these young singers. I hope that this truly artistic experience will inspire a lifelong enjoyment of choral singing in them,“ said Ms. Correllus. Mrs. Dunkin accompanied the chorus on the piano and Mr. Hefele joined on flute for the final song. Mr. Hefele said, “The students involved in All-County gained a priceless jewel of experience through the program. I’m very thankful that we could help provide this opportunity for them. It was wonderful to see the students grow by putting their musicality to work such a high-level setting.” The concert is held every March, which coincides with Music in Our Schools Month. Bravo to all who performed!

Photo Caption: Hendrick Hudson participants with their teachers and guest conductor