SCHOOL OF ROCK

By ERIN WILSON

Washingtonville High School has many spectacular programs that students can get involved in: Masque & Mime, athletics, and various clubs, just to name a few.  Perhaps some of the most overlooked programs that Washingtonville offers are the school’s band programs.

For over a century, both the high school band and wind ensemble have left a mark on the Washingtonville community.  They have performed at a plethora of community gatherings  displaying their talents for all to see.  According to Alexandra Hendricks, president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, the most anticipated events the bands partake in are “the concerts,” which include three throughout the school year.

ERIN WILSON FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

The musicians participate in a number of charitable events throughout the school year in order to give back to the school and community.  For instance, during football season, various members of the high school bands come together to form the pep band in order to play popular and upbeat songs at the home football games. Their peppy music pumps up the crowd while encouraging the players on the field. 

This year, the students involved in band hosted the Cocoa Cafe, a fundraiser where musicians and singers perform holiday pieces while raising money for Education Through Music, and organization created to help inner city kids receive an education in music.  At Washingtonville Middle School, “The jazz band does a yearly performance at Helen Hayes Hospital,” stated Mrs. Giorgio, a music teacher at the middle school.  She went on to say, “The kids really enjoy sharing music with folks as a way to cheer them up.”

However, the bands of Washingtonville do not limit themselves to events in the community.  For many years, Washingtonville has shown a strong representation at events such as All-County, All-State, and Area All-State.  Oyindamola Ogunlade, a senior at WHS,  has represented the Washingtonville program at All-State once, as well as alternate, Richard Divirgilio who is a junior.  At this event, the best musicians of New York are chosen to perform together.  In addition, junior Alexandra Hendricks has been in the NYSBDA State Honor Band for the past four years. 

Richard Divirgilio practices his french horn.

This success was not a shock to Mr. Briggs, a band teacher at Washingtonville High School. Briggs explained that “over the years, the techniques have improved vastly. As a result, more and more students are able to reach higher goals in their music study.” 

Another exciting event Washingtonville’s bands have been participating in throughout the years is Music in the Parks, an event usually hosted at amusement parks such as Dorney Park or Six Flags.  Since 2005, “[the music teachers] have taken students to the the Music in the Parks competitions...a trophy came home with [them] every time,” Mr. Briggs proudly boasted.

The talent of the current high school musicians has been displayed ever since they were middle schoolers.  Mrs. Giorgio, “feels the families and [her] colleagues are supportive of [the] program” which is a contributing factor to students’ success.  

The high schoolers of WHS are role models to the younger musicians and work very hard in hopes that the middle schoolers will continue their band careers when they become make the transition into high school.  Every year, the bands from both buildings meet in the high school auditorium and listen to each other perform.  This helps the students realize how much music really matters. 

The lessons that students receive from being in the program carry on with them past their high school years. Alex Leonty, a graduate of Washingtonville High School, expressed that, “you learn to attack life differently through expressing yourself in a new light and I really enjoyed that.”

There is no doubt that the success of the musicians of Washingtonville High School is going to continue to flourish.  The expertise and devotion they display on a day-to-day basis will carry on for future generations of musicians. If interested in listening to the sounds of the WHS bands, their masterpieces can also be found on the WHS band website.