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.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

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 the bell rings and most students head home, a dedicated group of 53 Port Chester Middle School students gather in their classrooms to continue their studies. They are part of an after-school English Language Learners newcomer program, which has been meeting three times a week since January. Spearheaded by Assistant Principal Kristin Pascuzzi and multilingual learner coordinator Peter Bermudez, the program is tailored to provide crucial support to students who are new to this country and in the process of learning English.

“It’s an opportunity for some of these new students to meet friends and to socialize, and practice their English in a fun and exciting way that supports them academically, socially and emotionally,” Pascuzzi said. “They come to us sometimes with very different educational experiences prior to coming to the Unites States, and they enter a middle school at this level with limited knowledge of the English language and limited experience in terms of an American school. They’re not used to going to six different classes in a day and having different teachers.”

Pascuzzi emphasized that all students enrolled in the program are native Spanish speakers who are eager to grasp English in a nurturing setting provided by Port Chester Middle School. What sets this program apart from others, which primarily focus on reading and writing, is its comprehensive approach to providing support in core subjects such as math, science, ELA and social studies.

Throughout the program, the students engaged in activities aimed at expanding their vocabulary, mastering basic conversational phrases, and honing their reading and writing skills. Pascuzzi commended the dedicated teachers involved in the program, attributing much of its success to their commitment. The teachers, who are well-versed in the core subject curriculum, not only offer additional academic support but also cultivate meaningful connections with the sixth through eighth grade students.

“It’s a nice message for the students to walk away with – they see that teachers care, they’re learning English in such a fun way where they don’t fear, they’re comfortable to take risks and explore the language, and they are not embarrassed,” Pascuzzi said. “They’re looking for a sense of belonging, and a program like this gives them another piece of that, and it extends the day for them.”

Bermudez expressed gratitude for the teachers’ efforts in nurturing students as they navigate the complexities of learning English and equipping them with the necessary tools for success. He expressed aspirations to expand the program’s reach, aiming to double the number of participants by the following year.

In addition to Bermudez, the teachers who have been instrumental in the program’s success are Shaileen Bello, Austin Boehm, Esteban Guijarro, Angie Leon, Juanita Mitchell, Tanya Pizzano, Anne Prime, Jacqueline Sagastume and Christine Telesco.

“We are so fortunate to have so many dedicated teachers,” she said. “They have been incredible.”

Date Added: 3/22/2024

Port Chester Middle School students participated in a series of engaging, hands-on activities in recognition of Black History Month. Spearheaded by a dedicated committee, led by Juanita Mitchell, the monthlong celebration in February sought to educate, inspire and celebrate the rich contributions of the Black community.

Throughout the school, eye-catching posters adorned the walls, featuring impactful messages of Black innovation and leadership. The posters, displayed in both English and Spanish, aimed to create an inclusive environment that celebrated diversity and fostered cross-cultural understanding.

At the beginning of each school day, a wide range of music echoed through the hallways and served as a reminder of the powerful impact of Black artists on the music industry. As a way of honoring the accomplishments and contributions of Black individuals throughout history, the students and teachers expressed their creativity and decorated several classroom doors. Adding a competitive interactive element to the celebrations, the students played Blooket games, which provided them with an engaging way to learn more about Black history, culture and achievements around the world.

The festivities reached their peak with a scavenger hunt that required students to pay attention to all activities that took place around the school throughout the month. The challenge encouraged active participation and teamwork to ensure that students were fully immersed in the multifaceted celebrations while reading on a variety of topics.

The activities, which integrated music, art, interactive games and educational initiatives, not only paid homage to Black history, but cultivated an atmosphere of inclusion and appreciation that resonated throughout the school. They also fostered an environment that celebrated diversity, encouraged learning and instilled a sense of unity among students and staff.

Students said they were inspired by many people’s accomplishments, talent, knowledge and contributions to the Black community, including Sarah Breedlove, Ruby Bridges, Roberto Clemente, Bessie Coleman, Celia Cruz, Dr. Dre, Langston Hughes, Lonnie Johnson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Reggie Showers, Robert Smalls, Harriet Tubman and Levi Watkins, among others.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 3/8/2024

Four talented student musicians from Port Chester Middle School will perform as a quartet at the American Brass Quintet concert on March 10.

Seventh graders Aiden Escobar (trombone), Angel Gonzalez (French horn) and Alan Grande (trumpet) and eighth grader Adam Van Der Wateren (trumpet), who exemplify extraordinary commitment to the band program at Port Chester, will have the memorable musical experience.

“These students demonstrate a hunger to go above and beyond,” band director Ulysses Torres said. “They are the first musicians ready to begin at our morning rehearsals, they request to meet at lunch and after school to work on their music, and above all, they all model and exemplify what it means to be part of our music program at PCMS.”

In addition, the students will engage in a coaching session with the American Brass Quintet prior to the concert. They will perform for the highly trained and successful musicians and receive feedback from them, which will enhance their own musical journey.

“Having the opportunity to perform for world-class musicians and receive feedback and constructive criticism from them in a masterclass setting will provide them an invaluable experience that they can bring back to the music community in Port Chester,” Torres said. “I hope this experience is a lasting memory in all of their lives.”

Torres described the students as kind, inquisitive and helpful musicians in the school community.

The American Brass Quintet, one of the premier chamber music ensembles, has been in residence at the Julliard School since 1987. The concert will be held on Sunday, March 10, at the Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester in Rye, New York.

Date Added: 3/5/2024