Each year the New York State Department of Education designates the month of March as Music in Education Month, a celebration of the musical talents of students in schools.
“So we invited the students from the combined fourth grade choruses of Hillside Grade School and Manor Oaks to be with us this evening to sing some learning songs,” Superintendent Robert Katulak said Monday night during the board of education’s meeting at the .
“This has been the strongest year for my vocal music department,” chorus teacher Sharon Pesenti said, noting the district will be sending 102 total students from fourth, fifth and sixth grades to the NYSSMA solo festival this year.
“Often, material can be absorbed on a deeper level by singing it and by knowing the aim. By performing authentic songs, my students have connected without effort to these musical concepts.”
Two years ago Pesenti, who is also a NYSSMA All-state judge, decided to write a book about breath control, dynamics and expression, “all of the categories in hyperia based on NYSSMA.”
Of the eight songs that Pesenti self-published in her book, her sudents performed three of them at Monday night’s board meeting: dynamics (loud or soft), expression and emotion.
Pesenti also announced that she will be donating a copy of the book to each of the schools in the district.
