45 NECSD Scholars Participated in the OCMEA All-County Festival

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District had 45 elementary students participate recently in the Orange County Music Educators Association’s (OCMEA) All-County festival. Scholars from all buildings in the district were selected by their teachers to enrich their classwork by participating in this honors festival. Students rehearsed Wednesday, April 27, Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30 in the Monroe-Woodbury school district. Due to COVID, 4 concerts instead of 2 occurred Saturday afternoon after the rehearsals. (one at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30) At the 3-day festival, they rehearsed together with students from all of the schools in Orange County under the batons of noted guest conductors, and subsequently, performed in a concert. This is a direct extension of, and connection to their work in class. The instruction provided by the guest conductors and the experience of this honors event will greatly enrich and enhance the students’ development as musicians.

Drake Burns, 6th grader at Heritage Middle School, auditioned and was selected into the Elementary All County Band. He was up against some of the best young musicians in Orange County, and was one of eight students selected for the trombone section. He is the only student from Newburgh to have been selected to play in the band. The Elementary All County Band concert was held on Saturday, April 30th at the Monroe-Woodbury Middle School.

This festival aligns with and incorporates the NYS Learning Standards for the Arts: Creating; Performing; Responding; and Connecting in various iterations.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!