Wednesday, March 10
The Niskayuna Symphony Orchestra will pay tribute to Leonard Bernstein with a concert on Wednesday, March 10. The orchestra will present the 'Overture' to Candide, Bernstein's award winning Broadway Musical of 1956, conducted by student teacher Christian Neubert. The NSO will also perform selections from West Side Story, a Broadway classic, as popular today as it was in 1957. The NSO will be joined on March 10 by the Grades 7 and 8 String Orchestra conducted by Teresa Broadwell, and the Symphonic Band led by Conductor Eric Hughes.

Thursday, March 11
The Niskayuna Middle Schools will present an evening of music on Thursday, March 11. The Grade 6 Band, conducted by Philip Pandori, is eager to perform "Junkyard Jam" by Kevin Mixon. For this piece, metal and plastic trash cans, buckets and even the music stands become "instruments." The Middle School Symphonic Band, conducted by Denise Lamb, will present "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Robert Sheldon, and highlights from "The Sound of Music." The Middle School Wind Band, conducted by Joe Lamb will feature the trombone section in "Lassus Trombone" by Henry Filmore. The Wind Band will also perform highlights from "Mama Mia" and "Astogate" by Steve Hodges which will be conducted by student teacher Andy VanNess.

March 16-17: District Choral Festival
More than 800 Niskayuna students will perform in the school district’s Choral Festival from March 16-17. The festival concert, organized by all Niskayuna choral faculty, will include performances from voice students in grades 4-12 with guest artist-in-residence and conductor Dr. David Griggs-Janower, director of Albany Pro Musica.

On Tuesday, March 16, choral students from Craig, Hillside elementary schools and the Van Antwerp and Iroquois Grade 6 choir will sing with the high school Choir, Bel Canto Voices & Concert Chorale.

On Wednesday, March 17, choirs from Birchwood, Glencliff, and Rosendale elementary schools and the Van Antwerp and Iroquois 7th and 8th grade choirs will perform with the high school Studio Singers, Ladies First, & Concert Chorale.

Both concerts will be held in the Niskayuna High School new gym at 7 p.m. Admission is by ticket only. Tickets are available only through concert participants.

Visit the Niskayuna Friends of Music Web site for more information about the music selections that will be performed or about the guest conductor David Griggs-Janower.

(March 2010)