Three Berlin High School band musicians performed in the 9th Annual Hartwick College Honor Bands over the weekend. On Saturday, Berlin High School Band Director and music teacher Mrs. Jessica Gould spent the day with the Mountaineers as they rehearsed all day under the direction of Dr. Andrew Pease from Hartwick College and Sarah Fernandez from the Manhattan Wind Ensemble on the campus of Hartwick College in Oneonta.
Mountaineers Nate Goodermote, trombone (11th grade), Savannah Hammon, clarinet (9th grade), and Luke Turetsky, trumpet (9th grade) joined students from across New York State selected based on their applications, previous NYSSMA scores, and music resumes.
The day’s rehearsals began at 9 am, with a break after lunch for a Hartwick Wind Ensemble performance and college Q&A, followed by sectional rehearsals with Hartwick faculty and students, more rehearsals, and culminating in the Honor Bands’ Concert in the evening in the Anderson Center for the Arts.
Berlin Middle High School Band director Mrs. Jessica Gould was very proud of the students for the way they represented the Berlin Central School district and the work they put in to be selected for the Honor Band.
Mrs. Gould was very impressed by junior Nate Goodermote who sought out this opportunity and encouraged his bandmates to pursue it as well.
“Nate is always looking to improve his musical skills and encourages those around him to do so as well,” said Mrs. Gould.
“It was really special to have three of our students representing our music department and the only Rensselaer County representatives in the Honor Bands with students from all over the state; their hard work really paid off, and the experience has helped them grow as musicians.”
Way to go, Mountaineers!