200-plus students from 5 districts perform at All-County Music Fest

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – Elementary students sing “Solfege Symphony” by Cristi Cary Miller. The song is a mashup with classical music including Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Surprise Symphony, Peer Gynt, Beethoven’s 5th and 9th Symphonies and the Hallelujah Chorus.

The sing during this afternoon’s All-County Music Festival at Kendall. The students were directed by guest conductor Dr. Sara Massey, a professor and music education coordinator at Houghton University.

There were 75 students in the elementary chorus from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

The elementary students also sang “Look At The World” by John Rutter, “Ching A Ring Chaw” arranged by Linda Spevacek-Avery, and “Can You hear Me?” by Bob Chilcott.

Andrew Bodemer, a Clarence music teacher, served as guest conductor of the junior high band.

The 77 students in the band performed “Flourish and Festivity” by Douglas Akey, “Chasing Sunlight” by Cait Nishimura, “The Road Less Traveled” by Mat Campbell, and “Heart of Gold” by Brian Balmages.

Liam Leader of Albion was one of the trombonists in the junior high band.

Cassie Brown, front center, of Albion is among the 64 members of the senior high chorus. They started by singing “Três Cantos Nativos” by Marcos Leite.

The senior high chorus also sang “O Love” by Elaine Hagenberg, “Sisi Ni Moja” by Jacob Narverud, and “The Awakening” by Joseph M. Martin.

Dr. Kevin Dibble served as guest conductor for the senior high chorus. He is the associate director of the Greatbatch School of Music at Houghton University, where he is also associate director of choral activities and assistant professor of music.

The students sing “Sisi Ni Moja,” a Swahili title that means “We are one” and shares how human beings have much in common.