Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School continued the Rocky Point Spring Concert series with an extraordinary Spring Concert at the High School auditorium on May 8.

The JAE 3rd Grade Chorus, under the direction of Mr. Craig Knapp, began the concert with a fun program that included a traditional circle game from Trinidad and Tobago, “I Let Her Go-Go.” This selection included 5th grader and percussionist Haylee Stewart performing the challenging glockenspiel part by memory! Their set of songs also included a special song for Mother’s Day, “Mother, There’s No Other.” The 3rd Grade Chorus was accompanied by the multitalented and extremely dedicated Miss Cailyn Monastero, JAE’s band director. The 4th Grade Orchestra then took the stage under the baton of Mr. Dave Ventura. They performed a very challenging program of folk songs from around the world, including the familiar “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and other traditional folk songs from the United States and France. The students were very well prepared, and they did a marvelous job in their first ever orchestra concert. Closing the evening was the 5th Grade Band, under the baton of Miss Monastero. In their second year of playing together, the 5th Grade Band performed a very fun and challenging program that included stellar performances of “Band on Parade,” and an arrangement of Baroque composer George Frederic Handel’s “Water Music.” The students enjoyed performing and the audience burst into favorable applause.
 
A congratulatory message from Rocky Point Music Department chairpersons Mr. Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher read: “The wonderful concert that the children performed is a true testament to their hard work, effort and dedication. The students spent countless hours rehearsing before school while building teamwork and musical skills leading up to this performance. They performed with great joy and artistry, and it was an honor to be a part of such a special evening. We are very proud of these amazing student musicians, and they deserve the highest praise for their accomplishments. Thank you to the families of these terrific students for all their support and encouragement. Thank you to all the administrators and Board of Education members in Rocky Point for their continued support of our music programs.”
 
Mr. Knapp added, “I really appreciated watching the process unfold and seeing the progress the students made during the many months of rehearsals leading into their concert night. I was extremely overjoyed to see how much the 5th Grade Band has grown in its second year. The students are truly reaping the benefits of starting the instrumental program in grade 4. It is a pleasure to work with Miss Monastero and Mr. Ventura. They are both incredibly hardworking, dedicated and very talented music educators. Congratulations to all the chorus and instrumental students for putting on a terrific concert!”