On Thursday evening, May 28, 2026, the Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School held their second set of Spring Concerts at the High School auditorium for the 4th/5th Grade Chorus, 5th Grade Orchestra and 4th Grade Band. The JAE 4th/5th Grade Chorus, under the direction of Mr. Craig Knapp, opened the show with a joyful, challenging and diverse program of songs, including a piece from Ghana, “Obwisana,” which featured a descant soli section that included Maggie Banks, Antonella Diaz, Kayla Gladysz, Isabelle Guldi, Corwin Handshaw, Layla Major, Aoife Marsh and Lily Pendl, as well as a group of student drummers, Sophia Byrnes, Gracelyn DeSoiza, Lillianne Degtyarev, Connor Koutsoftas, Hope Peruggi, Ella Polzella and Sophia Stewart. The JAE 4th/5th Grade Chorus also celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States by performing an arrangement of “America the Beautiful.” Mr. Knapp provided the opportunity for students to be part of the process for selecting repertoire for this concert. This Student-Centered Learning approach aligns with the Rocky Point Strategic Plan. Their final piece, “Flooding Rains,” featured a rainstorm and student-created movement. The JAE 5th Grade Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Dave Ventura, performed very fun and difficult selections that included songs ranging from the classical piece, “Ode to Joy” composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, to the rock selection, “Power Rock,” which featured two songs from the band Queen, “We Will Rock You” and “Another One Bites the Dust.” The 4th Grade Band, under the baton of Miss Cailyn Monastero, took the stage next and performed a delightful program. Selections included wonderful performances of familiar children’s songs including, “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Rock Cross Buns,” which was a variation on the well-known nursey rhyme “Hot Cross Buns.” The students also performed the very challenging piece, “Triumphant.” This was the first live public performance for our students in the 4th Grade Band. All of the performances were joyful, well-prepared and incredibly successful. The enthusiastic audience reaction for each group displayed how proud the parents were of their children!

A congratulatory message from Rocky Point Music Department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher read: “We are very proud of the JAE music students. The students have spent endless hours rehearsing before school. The have reinforced not only their music skills, but they also learned the importance of building teamwork leading up to their performances. It has been a phenomenal series of concerts for the Rocky Point School District this Spring. The tremendous performances the student musicians in all of our schools performed this Spring is a true testament to their hard work, effort and dedication. We are very fortunate to have such sensational students involved in the music program and we are thankful to our dedicated and dynamic music staff, and the parents, for supporting their children in their involvement with the performing arts. Thank you to all of the administrators and Board of Education members in Rocky Point for their continued support of our music programs.”

Mr. Knapp added, “It has been a pleasure to observe the remarkable progress made by the students in all of the JAE performing ensembles. I was exceedingly overjoyed to see how much the 5th Grade Orchestra has grown in its second year. The students are truly reaping the benefits of starting the instrumental program in 4th Grade. It is a gift to work with Miss Monastero and Mr. Ventura. They are both very passionate, talented and dedicated music educators. It’s a true team effort at JAE! On a personal note, I’m really going to miss our current 5th grade students who are ready to take that enormous leap into Middle School. They have been an enjoyable crew and have really been a pleasure for Miss Monastero, Mr. Ventura and I to teach. Congratulations to all of the chorus and instrumental students for putting on a stellar concert!”