Marching Rams Visit Chicago

The Amsterdam High School Marching Rams visited Chicago on Tues, Nov 21. They participated in the 2006 McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which began at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on Thanksgiving morning.

At 10:00 p.m. on Tues, the Amsterdam band boarded three coach buses and headed out for a 13-hour bus ride to Chicago, Illinois. They arrived the next day and enjoyed lunch at the Hard Rock Café before checking into the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Later that night, the students were treated to a dinner dance in the Grand Ballroom, along with the other 24 participating high school bands, of which Amsterdam was the only one representing New York State.

The next morning, after an early breakfast at 5:30 a.m., the band set off to march in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, which draws 350 thousand people to the Chicago streets annually. Over 1.5 million viewers nationwide watch this nationally syndicated parade, as well. The parade was also available to viewers via a live video stream online.

After the parade, the band members had Thanksgiving dinner back at the hotel before heading back out to the famous Chicago Theater for a production of Shear Madness, America's longest running comedy who-dunnit.

On Friday, before beginning their long journey home, the band enjoyed visiting the Shedd Aquarium and later shopping at the Navy Pier. They arrived back in their hometown on Sat morning.

AHS student selected for All-Eastern Honors Conference

Alice Sorensen has been chosen to participate in the Mixed Choir at the All-Eastern Honors Conference on Sunday, March 11, 2007. The participants for this event are selected from the All-state members of the mixed chorus at the New York State Conference All-state. Twelve eastern states comprise the ensemble with New York sending 25% of the members. Alice is the first student in GASD history to be chosen for this honor. Congratulations to her, her AHS choir teacher, Patricia Valiante and her private teacher, former GASD music teacher, Peg Lazarou.

December 14 holiday concert will feature choral talents of AHS and Lynch Middle School

The AHS Mixed and Select Chorus and the Lynch MS Gr 6, 7, and 8 Choirs are combining their holiday concerts this year. The event will take place 7 p.m. on Thurs, December 14 at Lynch Middle School. The concert is free and open to the public.

Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band shine at regional music competition

Amsterdam High School would like to congratulate the students in the AHS
Wind Ensemble and the AHS Symphonic Band for an excellent performance at the New York State School Music Association Major Organization Festival which was held at Burnt Hills- Ballston Spa High School.

The Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Stephanie H. Boice achieved a silver rating on Level 5 music. The group performed the Choral and Shaker Dance by Zdelick, Scenes from The Louvre by Norman Dello Joio, and Fairest of the Fair by John Philip Sousa. Soloists included, Katya Ahr, Amanda Jevitt, Ashley Lee, Elizabeth Noto, Dianna Rokitowski, Michael Logan, Joseph Stevens, Christopher Pelosi, Josh Kelly, Gary Dlugas, Casey Wilczak, and Brigitta Guilianelli. In this challenging program of technique and control, the woodwind, brass and percussion sections performed with conviction and pride.

The Symphonic Band, under the direction of Michael Perry performed Canto by Francis McBeth, Denbridge Way by James Swearingen and Valdres arranged by Jim Curnow. Soloists were Melanie Tatlock, Kim Pelosi, Rosie Bornt, Heather Monge and Brigid Mirando. The Symphonic Band also received a silver rating which demonstrated excellent technical and artistic skills.

Music students excel in individual competition

Amsterdam music students demonstrated the depth of their individual talents at the New York State School Music Association competition held May 5-6 at Schalmont. Representing Amsterdam were:

Instrumentals

• Level one

Morgan Perry – clarinet, outstanding rating, (Perfect score)

Robert Noto – trombone, excellent rating

• Level two

Jonathan Nelson – tenor saxophone, outstanding rating

• Level three

Lisa Ferrucci – clarinet, excellent rating

Brittany McNamara – tenor saxophone, outstanding rating

Mike Natole – trumpet, excellent rating

• Level four

Dianna Rokitowski – clarinet, outstanding

• Level five

Richard China – trombone, 93

Josh Kelly – trumpet, 93

• Allstate level six

Joseph Lavicka - drum set jazz, 99

Jessica Nelson – clarinet, 95

Bryan Rivera – clarinet, 97

Katya Ahr – oboe, 94

Chorus

• Level five

Alycia Roux – soprano, 96

• Level six

Robert Weisheit, tenor, 95

Ashley Hudson, soprano, 96

Lisa Ferrucci, soprano, 96

• Allstate level 6

Lorenzo Fiorillo, tenor 2, 96

Kat Rodriguez, soprano 2, 94

Ashley Carey, soprano, 97

Anna Weisheit, soprano 2, 93

Emily Smith, soprano 2, 98

David Quinones, bass 2, 90

Jennifer Arbige, soprano 2, 100

Alice Sorensen, soprano 1, 100

Richard China, tenor 1, 95