Nearly 200 students perform in Summer Music Fest

Photos by Tom Rivers: These trumpet players rehearse on Thursday for their Summer Music Fest concert later that evening in Lyndonville. These musicians include from left: Jason Anstey of Albion, Will Rousch of Medina, Justin Higgins of Lyndonville and Benjamin O’Connor of Albion.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2017 at 10:49 am

Albion, Lyndonville and Medina again put on concert

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville hosted the Summer Music Fest this week which included 162 students from Albion, Lyndonville and Medina.

This is the fourth time the three schools have collaborated on the music festival and included the most students so far, up from 147 last year. Students had full days rehearsing on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, before another rehearsal and the concert last evening.

The students will perform again on Sept. 15 as part of the Orleans County Heritage Festival. Several of the songs, such as “Over There,” have origins during World War I.

John Bailey, a Lyndonville band director, leads the combined ensemble during rehearsal on Thursday afternoon.

The music fest was a chance for students to keep their singing and instrument skills sharp, while also connecting with friends and kids from other local districts.

“They experience a fun way to play music together,” said Jeanette Sheliga, instrumental teacher at Medina. “These kids are from smaller districts so this gives them an opportunity to play in larger ensembles.”

She noted that Lyndonville and Medina share some programs, such as the musical, as well as athletic teams. The connections made in the elementary level may help them “cross district lines in shared programs when they are older.”

Students entering grades 5 through 7 were chosen to participate by their music teachers.

The two bands were directed by the elementary band teachers from the three districts: Jeanette Sheliga, Medina; Lindsey Fix, Albion; and John Bailey, Lyndonville. Chorus directors were Kathy Bleiler-Dick, Medina; Anna Atwater of Albion; and Jennifer Neroni-Trupo, Lyndonville.

Gabe Mark of Medina is one of the percussionists in the combined band.

The combined ensemble plays “Over There” during a rehearsal on Thursday. Lyndonville students wore orange, Medina students wore blue and Albion musicians had on purple shirts.

S’Koi Sanders-Smith of Albion plays the clarinet.

This group of trumpet players hits the right notes during rehearsal.

John Bailey of Lyndonville directs the band during rehearsal. “This looks awesome from my point of view,” Bailey told the students.

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