Cooke students perform “The Sisters Grinn” – a new take on some classic stories

You may have heard of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, but unless you’re part of the George L. Cooke Elementary School community, chances are you’ve never heard of The Sisters Grinn: Hanselle Hood and Gretelle Locks. It’s an original play penned by Monticello alumna Noel Komatz that takes the characters from three of the most …

Seven MHS students chosen to perform in All-State Festival Concert

Seven Monticello High School students have been chosen to perform in the New York State School Music Association’s (NYSSMA) Zone 9 Area All-State Festival Concert, which will take place at Suffern High School on Saturday Nov. 23, 2019.   The NYSSMA Zone 9 Area encompasses all of Greene, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties. In …

Meeting and performing with a mandolin virtuoso

Students in the chamber music program, directed by Monticello High School music teacher David Chidsey, had the wonderful opportunity to perform with Jacob Jolliff of the Yonder Mountain String Band on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The students listened to him perform bluegrass and country music with his incredible virtuoso skills.

Virtuoso Mandolinist to visit Monticello High School

On Wednesday Oct. 2 at 2:30 p.m. in the Monticello High School Hughs Auditorium, virtuoso Mandolinist Jacob Jolliff of the Yonder Mountain String Band and the Jacob Jolliff Band will be conducting a workshop for MHS Chamber Musicians and performing some jazz standards with the faculty. Seating will be limited for the public and admission …

Music to our ears

The Monticello Central School District has just been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education for the ninth time.  To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Monticello’s music department detailed information about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities and …

MHS and RJK Jazz Ensembles perform in Albany

The Monticello High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by Andrew Verdino, and the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School Jazz Ensemble performed as part of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Music in Our Schools (MIOSM) Concert Series in Albany, New York. The students performed on the South Concourse, visited with Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and …

KLR students dazzle at mid-winter concert

Third, fourth and fifth grade students at KLR were able to show an appreciative audience just what they are learning in music class by singing, playing instruments and performing at the mid-winter concert. Each grade performed five songs. Third graders performed “Hello Song” in two languages along with other traditional tunes. The fourth-grade students ended …