The Rocky Point Music Department hosted a series of “Introduction to the Instrumental Program” workshops for Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School’s third graders on June 2.  Now in its fourth year, this event is aimed to recruit third grade students into the JAE Band and Orchestra instrumental programs.

This event utilized an "Instrument Petting Zoo" format, where several tables were set up based on the various instrument families (brass, woodwind, percussion, string) in the JAE Old Gym. After a brief introduction, the third grade students heard members of the fifth grade band and orchestra perform short excerpts from their recent Spring Concerts. The third graders then rotated through the stations where they explored the various instrument options available for them to select. This offered the opportunity for the third graders to get an up-close and personal experience, where they were able to see, touch, hear and play the instruments. This event presented information so that each third grader can make an informed decision about their instrument choice for next year. At the end of the session, all students received an informational packet explaining how to make their instrument selections.

Members of the Music Department faculty contributed by overseeing each instrument station. Music staff members on hand included Secondary Music Department Chairperson and band director Amy Schecher, as well as fellow band directors Kyra Kenwood, Cailyn Monastero and Vinny Ragona, who each led sessions at the woodwinds, brass and percussion stations. Rocky Point orchestra directors Nick Butcher, Dave Ventura and Meghan Walter guided the students at the various tables for string instruments with the assistance of High School chorus director Jessica Spitz. Elementary Music Department Chairperson Craig Knapp planned and organized this annual event and served as host while guiding the students through the sessions.

One of the contributing factors to the success of this event was the inclusion of Fifth Grade Band and Orchestra Student Ambassadors. The role of the ambassadors included:

• Helping to demonstrate their instruments and perform for the third graders.
• Assisting with having the third graders try playing the various instrument choices that are available for them to select.
• Encouraging the younger students to consider joining the instrumental music program.
• Having the third graders see their older counterparts having fun playing their instrument and engaging in music making.
• Speaking to the third graders about their instrument and about their experience playing in band or orchestra.
• Acting as peer mentors to assist the younger students in making an informed decision when considering an instrument choice for next year.

 
A message from Mr. Knapp and Ms. Schecher read: “It was exciting to introduce the third grade students to the JAE Instrumental Program! The students had a wonderful time rotating through the various stations and getting to see, hear and play the instruments that they have been learning about in their weekly special area music classes. We really hope this up-close and personal experience generated excitement for our students to play a band or orchestra instrument, and we feel that this experience was very valuable for the children. It is our desire that the “Instrument Petting Zoo” format greatly assisted the students in making an informed decision for their instrument selection. The entire day was very well-received by students and classroom teachers. We are very happy about having fifth grade students assist with this special event. We truly believe that having fifth grade members of band and orchestra acting in a leadership role is a crucial component for recruitment of our third graders. It is also a great source of pride for our fifth grade students, who were so helpful and encouraging to the yiunger students. Thank you to our talented students for making this endeavor a positive one. We are also incredibly grateful to have such a hardworking and dedicated music department faculty contribute to the success of this day. We are thankful for the support that the Rocky Point School District administration and Board of Education provides for our music department and our student musicians.”
 
Thank you to our fifth grade student ambassadors John Bishop, Ava Cacace, Luciano Calo, Adrien Castro, Stella Cheng, Layla Chudyk, Brielle Crane, Kendall Daly, Lily Dillon, Wyatt Dippel, Veronica Fedurina, William Fishman, Athena Heaney, Milo Hinst, Macie Koski, Azra Kurun, David Lyons, Chase Molinaro, Kaitlin Neligon, Madelyn Nolan, Christian Nunnaro, Ricardo Palas, James Parker, William Russell, Lillian Sauer, Serafina Sirico, Lacy Solomon, Haylee Stewart, Gavin Uebel, Addison Voelker, Aengus Walsh and Emma Wurm.