39.0°,
Fair Making sweet music in North Bellmore
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Lutz joked that she joined the orchestra because she was “never really a good singer.” Her parents, who are both musicians, also suggested that joining a district group would be a good way to meet students from around the community before they came together at Grand Avenue Middle School.
Gluck and Gilberg said they joined music ensembles at their schools to have fun with friends. Meanwhile, Ferrara said, “I thought it would be cool to be a girl drummer. That never really happens at our school…When you play a drum set, you’re using different things and making different noises.”
Skelos said more and more North Bellmore students are choosing to join music groups, despite the hours of practice that are required. She estimated that 95 percent of fifth- and sixth-graders join choirs, and the orchestra has gone from having 11 participants in one group to more than 100 across two groups.
“We have tremendously passionate music teachers, and that passion translates down to the children,” the principal said. “Our children are very fortunate to have exposure to the level of expertise of the professional people they have leading them.”
Two teachers –– Emilie D’Andrilli, who leads the Dinkelmeyer chorus, and Shakira Doherty, who conducts the Saw Mill Serenaders –– have taught in the district fewer than five years. Doherty said that, because they are relatively new to North Bellmore, they may be running their programs in a way that students and parents have not seen before.
“Like all things in life, when there is a fresh perspective, I think it sort of draws people to it,” she said. “I think we are running our programs in a similar but different way…It’s a fresh look at something that was there.”
Chris D’Orio, who led the Saw Mill Road band, has worked in the district since 1999. He said it is incredible to watch as students are given instruments at young ages and then perform in festivals a short time later.
Lisa Uckardes, another instrumental music teacher who works with the sixth-grade orchestra, agreed. “I can remember being that age and learning my instrument. We’ve experienced a lot of the same things,” she said. “I can see their faces light up as they learn, and I feel the same way in my rehearsals.”
Gluck and Gilberg said they joined music ensembles at their schools to have fun with friends. Meanwhile, Ferrara said, “I thought it would be cool to be a girl drummer. That never really happens at our school…When you play a drum set, you’re using different things and making different noises.”
Skelos said more and more North Bellmore students are choosing to join music groups, despite the hours of practice that are required. She estimated that 95 percent of fifth- and sixth-graders join choirs, and the orchestra has gone from having 11 participants in one group to more than 100 across two groups.
“We have tremendously passionate music teachers, and that passion translates down to the children,” the principal said. “Our children are very fortunate to have exposure to the level of expertise of the professional people they have leading them.”
Two teachers –– Emilie D’Andrilli, who leads the Dinkelmeyer chorus, and Shakira Doherty, who conducts the Saw Mill Serenaders –– have taught in the district fewer than five years. Doherty said that, because they are relatively new to North Bellmore, they may be running their programs in a way that students and parents have not seen before.
“Like all things in life, when there is a fresh perspective, I think it sort of draws people to it,” she said. “I think we are running our programs in a similar but different way…It’s a fresh look at something that was there.”
Chris D’Orio, who led the Saw Mill Road band, has worked in the district since 1999. He said it is incredible to watch as students are given instruments at young ages and then perform in festivals a short time later.
Lisa Uckardes, another instrumental music teacher who works with the sixth-grade orchestra, agreed. “I can remember being that age and learning my instrument. We’ve experienced a lot of the same things,” she said. “I can see their faces light up as they learn, and I feel the same way in my rehearsals.”
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