Music in Our Schools Month Features Annual Pops Concert
March is the national recognition of Music in Our Schools month. The Ballston Spa CSD organizes several special events to show the community their appreciation of the music program throughout the district. Students who have qualified and participated in regional and state competitions/performances receive recognition from the Board of Education for their musical achievements.
The annual BSHS Pops Concert is also being offered to the community on March 9, 2024, beginning at 7pm in the BSHS cafeteria/auditorium/gymnasium. The public is invited to attend and support the student musicians from the BSHS Jazz Bands, Orchestras, Choirs and Bands.
The school is transformed into a three-stage performance venue with concessions and handmade posters recognizing all of the Seniors in the Music Department. The event starts with the 9-12 combined Jazz Bands in the cafeteria, moves to the gymnasium for the 9-12 Orchestras, followed by a trip to the auditorium for the 9-12 Choirs and then back to the gymnasium for the 9-12 bands. Throughout the evening you could hear selections from Jackson 5, the Little Mermaid, Journey, Toto and more!
The admission fee is $3.00 with tickets available at the door or online at Showtix4u. All proceeds go towards music senior scholarships/awards.
For the first time ever, a MIOSM Elementary Tour with the HS Jazz, Festival Choir, and new Chamber Orchestra will be performing for all of the elementary students, grades 3-5, on March 12 and 13. Students will get the opportunity to see what is in store for them beyond the years of Hot Cross Buns as the groups perform music from Journey, Bruno Mars, The Jackson Five, The Weeknd, Bastille, Europe and more! This will also be a great opportunity for the high schoolers to share some of their experiences about playing in Middle and High School, balancing playing, studies, sports, extracurricular activities, and jobs.
Over 30 student musicians will be performing in this year's pit orchestra for the BSHS Troupe production of Beauty and the Beast! Not including a number of musicians performing in the cast and working crew and tech. This will be the largest student pit to date for Troupe. The music books that the students play from are the original, professional level books that are used across the world. According to Brian Retersdorf, BSCSD K-12 Music Department leader, "It truly is incredible that we have such talented students who are able to give up their time and commit to playing in these shows. The music is quite challenging yet our students love rising to the occasion and enjoy playing in different styles and presenting it for the community. Live music always elevates a show, especially when it is performed well." For the last several years, the student pit orchestra has earned nominations for the Best Student Pit Orchestra from the High School Musical Theater Awards at Proctors.
The Ballston Spa Friends of Music is a booster club dedicated to supporting Music Department programs through fundraising and volunteerism. The FOM is providing funds for students to participate in the 2024 DC Music Trip, private lesson awards and music scholarships for middle and high school students. They also run the concessions for all of the festivals and the Pops Concert. If anyone would like to find out more information, donate or volunteer, please contact them directly at bspafom@gmail.com.
Anyone who would like to make a contribution to the scholarship fund, please send a check payable to: BSCSD. The check memo or attached letter should reference: Music Dept. Scholarships #SCH102. Checks should be mailed directly to: Ballston Spa CSD, Attn: Deb Carminati, 220 Ballston Avenue, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Don’t forget to follow along on Twitter @Bspamusic or check the Music Department webpage for student recognition, department news, and more via www.bscsd.org.
Students were recognized for their dedication to our music programs and musical achievements at a recent BOE meeting. See pictures HERE.
