Concert showcasing Allegany County student musicians at Houghton University
From ACSMA,
The year’s biggest celebration of music in our schools happens in March all across the United States. March is Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®). Coincidentally, The Allegany County Schools Music Association (ACSMA) is PROUD to share that their ACSMA All-County Honors Festival #2 Concert will be held this Saturday, March 2nd at Houghton University beginning at 2:00pm.
ACSMA All-County Honors Festivals are a wonderful way to recognize and celebrate our student-musicians, and their teachers, who participate in music programs every day in our public schools. The Festival Co-Chairpersons are Rebekah Brennan and Tara Willgens, both music teachers at Belfast Central School. Over 100 student-musicians, representing schools across Allegany County, will rehearse together beginning on Friday, March 1st culminating in the Saturday Concert that is open to the public.
First on the program will be the ACSMA Senior High All-County Honors Jazz Band, under the direction of Mr. Alva Robbins. Mr. Robbins has been the Instrumental Director at Genesee Valley Central School for the past 25 years and is an adjunct percussion professor at Houghton University. Mr. Robbins conducts the GVCS High School & Jr High Concert and Jazz Bands, as well as the GVCS Marching Band. Mr. Robbins proudly serves as the President of ACSMA.
Next on the program will be the ACSMA Senior High All-County Honors Chorus, under the direction of Mr. Neil Bryson. Mr. Bryson serves as the Music Department Chairperson at Haverling Central School District where he has taught for 24 years. He is the Vocal Director of the HS Concert Choir, the select Chamber Choir, co-directs the 7-8 Choir, and also teaches several music electives. Mr. Bryson, and his wife, Mrs. Karen Bryson, are currently serving as the NYSSMA® All-State Head Chaperones tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the housing and care of over 800 students at the annual NYSSMA® Conference All-State in Rochester, NY.
Completing the afternoon’s ensemble performances will be the ACSMA Junior High All-County Honors Band, under the direction of Mr. Chris Oldfield. Mr. Oldfield has been teaching music for over 30 years and is presently an Instrumental Director at Gates Chili Central Schools, outside of Rochester, NY. He is the director of the GCHS Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band and Pit Orchestra.
Also performing during the concert will be two of the 2024 ACSMA Scholarship winners. Jenna Heaney, a senior at Fillmore Central School is the co-winner of the ACSMA Senior Going On In Music Scholarship. Jenna will be singing Una Donna A Quindici Anni by W.A. Mozart, accompanied by Mrs. Jan Schilke. Jenna is planning to study Music Education in college next fall. She has been accepted at both SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Buffalo State for Voice, and SUNY Fredonia for Clarinet/Multiple Woodwinds.
The Junior High ACSMA Scholarship Winner, Kalvyn Heard, will be performing The St. Louis Rag by Tom Turpin on the xylophone, accompanied by Mrs. JoAnn Brown. Kalvyn, a freshman at Cuba-Rushford Central School, is the son of Jeaninne Heard and JD Zeager.
Hayden Waldon, a senior at Wellsville Central School, will be recognized with a certificate and $50 for her winning design of this year’s ACSMA All-County Honors Festival Apparel.
Tickets may be purchased at the door and are as follows:
Students / Seniors $3.00
Adults $4.00
Family: $10.00
Children under 5: Free
We hope to see you in the audience supporting and encouraging these hardworking and talented Student-Musicians from across Allegany County.
