Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School’s 5th Grade Select Chorus, “High Notes” astonished audiences with two stellar performances of their Spring Musical “Johnny Appleseed: A Musical Play About a Great American Pioneer” on March 26 and 27. The High Notes students will perform encore in-school performances for the JAE students and staff on Friday, April 5. The musical included seven songs, speaking parts, dance routines, props and lots of fun!
Johnny Appleseed, one of American folklore's most colorful characters, comes to life in this lively musical. An extraordinary life and love for all living things is told as a modern-day grandfather reads a bedtime story to his grandchildren. The action moves from present to past and the audience learns of Johnny’s boyhood dream to cross the wilderness and follow him as he plants apple seeds throughout the land. Johnny Appleseed’s sincere appreciation of nature and his thoughtful consideration of others serve as the underlying theme for this musical play and a wonderful teaching tool and example for young people as well as audiences of all ages.
“I am so proud of the “High Notes” students,” said Mr. Craig Knapp, JAE School Chorus and Musical Director and District K-5 Music Department Chairperson. The students put in an extraordinary amount of time and effort to bring this production to life. They performed with great artistry and joy and they truly shined on stage. They spent countless hours both before and after school for many months preparing for the Spring Musical. The weeks leading into their performance were exceptionally busy when they spent 3.5 hours each day preparing and rehearsing for their production. The teamwork that was constantly on display was outstanding and I feel incredibly honored to teach these dedicated, energetic and talented students.”
“Throughout this process, I was very proud to observe how the students grew into confident performers as well as independent problem solvers,” he continued. “They were able to assimilate and determine for themselves many of the aspects of what takes place behind the curtain. As a chorus director/music teacher, there is no better feeling than watching the confidence level increase within my students. Not only did I witness the ultimate level of hard work coupled with fun and community-building each day, I was also able to see new friendships develop. Involvement in the arts is a powerfully strong component of a child’s sound education. The children will remember these events forever.”
“Special thanks to my hard-working students and their parents for encouraging their children’s involvement in music and the performing arts. Also, a special thank you to JAE Principal Mrs. Greening, JAE Assistant Principal Mr. Paquette, all of the administrators in Rocky Point’s District Office and the Rocky Point Board of Education for their support of the JAE Musical.”
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Date Added: 3/29/2024