Members of Port Chester Middle School and Port Chester High School’s orchestras enjoyed an enriching learning experience during a workshop with string expert Dr. Denise Lutter on April 4.

The middle school musicians gained valuable insight into string pedagogy, performance posture, concert repertoire and instrumental techniques; and the high school students worked on dynamics, shaping the musical lines and creating a better tone from their instruments.

“During the third year of this amazing orchestra program, these students have shown incredible growth and commitment,” middle school orchestra teacher Mary Wojcik said. “The workshop was a joyful learning experience for our Port Chester Middle School orchestra students and teachers.”

As a retired orchestra director, Dr. Lutter brings a wealth of experience and a deep interest in culturally responsive teaching methods to her workshop. She serves as the leadership coach for the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center where she designs and leads professional development courses for arts educators. She has also contributed to shaping music education in New York State, having served on several committees and participated in developing the current New York State Music Standards.

“Dr. Lutter listened to our students perform their concert music and provided them with feedback on how to elevate their performance,” high school orchestra teacher Melissa Neyer said.

Throughout the school year, the students diligently prepared for their winter and All-District orchestra concerts. In addition, several students were selected to participate in the New York State School Music Association solo strings concert on April 12. The high school and middle school orchestra students, who have also been preparing for their spring concerts, will demonstrate their talents on April 18 and May 22, respectively.

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Date Added: 4/11/2024

Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Best Communities for Music Education Award by the NAMM Foundation. The district is one of 975 school districts nationally to be recognized.

According to NAMM, the schools and communities recognized with the award demonstrate a commitment to ensuring music learning opportunities are available for every student and provide an example for other communities to follow.

“We are honored and beyond excited about being selected to receive the NAMM 2024 Best Communities for Music Education Award,” Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts Dr. Katherine Sinsabaugh said. “This award highlights all the amazing work our music teachers do in our schools with our students. It acknowledges how our teachers spread the love of music in our community, and it’s also reflective of our whole community’s support of our fine and performing arts programing.”

Now in its 25th year, the designation is awarded to school districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. According to the organization, the award program recognizes the collective efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have been instrumental in making music part of a well-rounded education for every child.

Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. To qualify for the designation, the district submitted an application that included information about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music program and community music-making programs. The program applauded the district for its unwavering commitment to creating an environment where each child can participate in quality, robust music making.

Date Added: 4/5/2024

As Port Chester High School students raced through the hallways, they aimed to be the first ones to complete Mu Alpha Theta’s third annual scavenger hunt on March 13. Spearheaded by math teacher Anthony Perciavalle, the students were challenged to solve math problems as fast as possible that led them to different rooms around the school.

“The questions were complex but designed so that students taking any math class could solve them,” Perciavalle said. “They involved more thinking than applying complex math. I hope that students had a good time trying to solve the problems, as well as meeting new math teachers in each of the rooms.”

Once the students answered a math problem correctly, they uncovered the number of the next classroom they were to visit. At the conclusion of the scavenger hunt, the team of Irvin Rodriguez and Cristian Garcia emerged as the winners, and Karla Castillo and Chantal Marquez earned second place. The winning team, which completed the challenge in 20 minutes, won trophies and a large pizza from John’s of Arthur Avenue.

Castillo said she participated in the challenge because of her love of math and rush of adrenaline when competing alongside her friends. Garcia said he participated because he finds puzzling math riddles intriguing and enjoys how mathematics can be applied in real-world scenarios.

“It was a wonderful experience, filled with an exciting, fast-paced and action-packed activity involving quick, logical thinking and mathematical modeling,” said Garcia, a junior and member of the Mu Alpha Theta National High School & Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society. “What I enjoyed most about the experience was being able to apply mathematical concepts along with motivated classmates formulating a passionate and involved community in an engaging and collaborative atmosphere.”

Date Added: 3/19/2024

A group of 24 Port Chester High School juniors had the unique learning experience of seeing the “La casa de Bernarda Alba” play live at Repertorio Español in Manhattan on Feb. 8. The students, who had read Federico García Lorca’s play in their classes, participated in a lecture and question-and-answer session.

“We hope to instill in our students a love of reading and an appreciation for Hispanic literature,” said Yomahira Carreras, a Spanish teacher and world language department chairperson. “They enjoyed seeing something they read become a live experience.”

The experience was made possible thanks to Spanish teachers Yomahira Carreras, Magdalena Padilla and Marjorie Venegas.

Date Added: 3/12/2024

Port Chester High School students will present “Legally Blonde: The Musical” as their spring production from March 14-17. Under the dedicated leadership of theater director Christina Baurle, and approximately 50 students in the cast, crew and creative team, the production is one of the biggest shows at the high school that features a large ensemble and several big song-and-dance numbers.

“This has definitely been our most challenging production since I started at Port Chester High School,” Baurle said. “It is massive, with over 30 set and scene changes and hundreds of props and costume pieces. I am very proud of all the work our students have been putting in to help pull everything together. Every show is a team effort and a product of so much collaboration, but this show requires so much of everyone. The dance numbers are long, the details for scene transitions are intense – there is just so much going on behind the scenes.”

Based on the adored movie of the same name, the fun and award-winning musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods – played by Michelle Cando – as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. The show is action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances.

“‘Legally Blonde’ deals with themes of identity, overcoming stereotypes, friendship and more,” Baurle said. “It is a very fun, fast-paced musical that many can relate to and be entertained by. Unfortunately, everyone has faced stereotyping, so we hope watching this show helps our audience understand to not judge a book by its cover and that there is a lot more to a person than their appearance or our preconceived notions.”

Performances will take place on Thursday, March 14, at 5 p.m., Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 16, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/port-chester-high-school/65a48eccc2b5120e3fe9846e/.

Date Added: 3/5/2024