Over 500 RPS students participated in the three All-RPS Festivals that happened over the past week. Recordings of the Choral Festival are available in last week’s RPS Update. This Monday, orchestra students from elementary, middle, and high schools took the Ridgefield High School auditorium stage. On Tuesday, band students from every level blew assembled families away with their performances, including an RPS Combined District Band rendition of “Planet Destroyer” composed by Scotland Elementary teacher James Tornatore and conducted by RHS Band Director, George Beratis.
RPS 6-12 Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair Michael McNamara came up with the idea of All-RPS performances and studio art exhibitions as a way to encourage fifth and eighth graders to continue to sing, play instruments, and make art as they continue through RPS and to share the trajectory with parents. Music and art teachers went above and beyond to pull these multi-level programs together. Parents, including Ridgefield Music Parent President Kathleen Murdock and Vice President Jennifer Tejada, are integral to the success of these events.
“Last night was one of my favorite kid’s activity nights that I can remember, inclusive of a million different sporting events. Kudos to the orchestra teachers who gave these kids a stage to show where they are going and for all that they do day-to-day to bring music into these kids’ lives. One of the goals was to show the trajectory of the kids as they progress. They TOTALLY checked that box. One of the goals was to get the younger kids excited about seeing what they can become. They TOTALLY checked that box. And finally, one of the goals was to entertain the parents and get them excited about what these kids are doing. And guess what…they TOTALLY checked that box too. I would never have thought to go to a high school orchestra concert. Bravo to all.”
*Information courtesy RPS weekly newsletter. Read it (and view additional images) here.