Hudson Valley Happenings Blog : Pine Bush High School Senior Recital and F.A.M.E. Reception Was A Great Success.

I had the pleasure of attending the Senior Music Recital at Pine Bush High School which was followed by the F.A.M.E. awards and scholarship presentation reception on Monday May 18th. The program for the evening included a great group of graduating seniors who each performed a musical selection of their own choosing.  We heard some really lovely vocal pieces and some great instrumental pieces too.  All of the students did a great job on the last performance on the Pine Bush High School stage.

Following the performances these students joined some music students from all of the schools in the Pine Bush Central School District for a reception hosted by Families Assisting Music Education, a non profit group that supports the music programs within the district in many ways.  F.A.M.E. raises funds through membership, various fund raisers throughout the year including the famous gingerbread house raffles during all of the District Winter Concerts, and other efforts during the year.  F.A.M.E. was instrumental in helping to get the 5th grade band program restarted in the district and continues to support that program with a loaner closet of instruments for students who can not take band due to financial concerns.  F.A.M.E. also provides assistance to various district music programs on an as requested basis and we provide several scholarships to graduating seniors who have been active in the music programs in school and a couple of community service awards for seniors who have brought music out for the schools and into the community in various ways.

At the reception the students, family, and friends enjoyed some refreshments and students who participated in All County, All Area, and All State Choruses and Bands were presented with certificates by teachers from the music department. Then the scholarships were presented.  The performance scholarships are based on a written application that includes a detailed history of the students participation in music programs during high school both within the school, extra school activities such as musicals and special performing groups, and outside of school.  There is also a written essay and finally the students perform for a panel of judges and are rated for that performance.  This years winners of the community service awards will be posted here shortly. The big moment of the night came with the presentation of the performance scholarships.  The first student awarded was percussionist Scott Krupp who's expression was one of total shock and really brought a smile to many in attendance.  He really had no idea he would get one of the scholarships.  Another percussionist, Matthew Reinhardt, who performed a duet on drums with Scott on Monday night that was amazing, also won a scholarship.  The last scholarship went to vocalist Michael Lancellotti. I have the pleasure of knowing this young man fairly well and have to say that he has an incredible voice and his commitment to music programs at the school has been exemplary.  Congratulations to all of the scholarship winners!.

I love participating in F.A.M.E. and would love to see other district parents come out to help us do our work.  We normally meet the first Wednesday of every month during the school year usually in the Chorus Room at the High School starting in October.  Please check you school district calendar for the first meeting date for next year and come on out to help!