Rye Neck Students Jam for Their Parents

The curtain rose on F.E. Bellows’ aspiring musicians on January 15. Beginning Band and Beginning Strings electives have been well underway since September. As the school year approached its halfway mark, parents gathered in the auditorium to see how their elementary school children are progressing with their musical instruments.

By Janice Llanes Fabry

“These programs give students the opportunity to shine in an area of their interest outside of the academics,” said Principal Marge Longabucco. “It also gives children a sampling of different instruments and allows them to hone in on which they prefer.”

The program is open to all fourth graders and those fifth graders, who are either new to the school or would prefer trying their hand at a different instrument. Currently, there are 90 and 25 students enrolled in Beginning Band and Beginning Strings, respectively. At the mini-concert, the violinists and cellists took center stage with various renditions of “Jingle Bells.” Next up were the percussionists and a horn section that included trumpets, clarinets, saxophones, trombones, and flutes. Band director Tom Galgano noted that every instrument requires a specific fundamental skill set, so students advance at varying degrees with regard to rhythmic and melodic note reading and fingering.

Longabucco, along with Galgano and Strings Director Craig Peterson, believe it’s important for parents to have the opportunity to hear their children’s musical progress. Parents are given guidelines on how to support their kids at home through teachers’ web pages, DVDs, and music workbook assignments.

Students who excel at a rapid pace may go on to Intermediate Band or Intermediate Strings. Otherwise, they have the rest of the year to practice and continue in the intermediate program next fall.

“They’ve made remarkable progress. Imagine how they’ll sound in May!” said Longabucco.

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