Students Shine in Port Washington Summer Music Programs

About 40 students in the Port Washington School District were able to strengthen their musical skills and knowledge with two separate sessions in July.

The first session recently ended Friday and culminated with a special performance.

It was the largest program enrollment since the program’s inception four years ago.

Students learned how to play songs including “Uptown Funk” and the theme songs from Harry Potter and Indiana Jones. Attendees also learned to write their own music and created their own renditions of “Happy Birthday.”

“I learned two orchestra pieces and worked on one composition,” said fourth-grade violinist Makena Romero. “I had fun learning more about the violin and how to play.”

In addition to providing extra instructional time, students expressed several opportunities that the program offered beyond those included within the typical school year.

“I got to play a duet, which I haven’t done before,” stated eighth-grade clarinet player Minkyo Seo.

“We played with all different instruments in one room, in a small band, and it sounded good,” said sixth-grade student Jaeden Nunnally, who has played the clarinet for about two years.

The program is aimed to further students’ exploration of music and help them hone their skills while enjoying time with peers. Students attended small group music lessons taught by teachers from the district’s music department, and daily ensemble time was provided for string, brass, percussion and woodwind instruments.

The Port Washington Summer Music Program was co-sponsored by the HEARTS organization, which supplied student scholarships. The Port Washington School District was named a 2015 Best Community for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation and will present students with many more opportunities to express their musical interests and talents when school starts in September.

Photos Courtesy of Port Washington School District:

1 & 2: Eighth-grader Minkyo Seo and high school student/Teacher Assistant Gabby Sanft played a piece in the band ensemble, taught by Aaron Prindle.

3: The band and string groups joined together for a final performance.

4: Teacher Shane Helfner directed the string ensemble.

5, 6: The band ensemble practiced under the direction of Aaron Prindle.

7,8: The string ensemble rehearsed the Harry Potter theme song.