The Catskill Chronicle

Story, photos and video by Leni Santoro

LIBERTY – March is “Music in Our Schools Month” (MIOSM). On Wednesday, March 24, the Liberty Middle School Band and Jazz Ensemble traveled to the state capitol in Albany to celebrate MIOSM with performances by the Middle School Band and the Jazz Ensemble. It was a full day for these lively middle school students and their chaperones filled with music, fun and history.

As the day began, Gary Siegel, Liberty Central School Director of Music and the conductor of the band and Jazz ensemble, met the students and chaperones in the band room and went through last minute updates regarding what the day ahead held for the students and the chaperones. Then it was time to board the two Rolling V coach buses waiting outside the school and head up to Albany.

The LCS music department’s mission states that their goals include:

• To instill an understanding and appreciation of the various types of music…
• To develop better citizenship…To emphasize the ability to work with others as members of an ensemble…[To] teach the importance of cooperative effort…
• To contribute to and help broaden the cultural life of our community…
• To help as many children as possible achieve self-realization through participation in the music program…
• To strive to perform at the highest possible artistic levels…

Wednesday’s trip to Albany met all of these goals and in addition provided the students with an opportunity to show-off their musical acumen to a wider audience via their performances in South Concourse Lobby of the Empire State Plaza at the state capitol.

Once the bus arrived at Empire Plaza, the students and the chaperones headed to The Well and the grand staircase to meet with Senator John Bonacic and Assamblywoman Aileen Gunther, both of whom had only the highest praise for the Liberty Middle School students and their music director, Gary Siegel.

Both the Senator and the Assemblywoman took time out from their busy schedules to pose for a photograph with the students and the chaperones, as well as answering questions posed to them by the students.

In addition to Senator Bonacic and Assemblywoman Gunther several other local government representatives were on hand at the Capitol on Wednesday. Sullivan County Legislady Leni Binder, Legislative Chairman Jonathan Rouis and County Manager David Fanslau also stopped by to say hello to the students during their working day at the Capitol.

After the meeting with Senator Bonacic and Assemblywoman Gunther the students and the chaperones headed back to the Concourse for lunch before the performance which was scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m.

“Music in our Schools Month” is sponsored by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA).

Before the start of the performances, Alexander E. Boschi, MIOSM – Chairperson, began by thanking Mr. Siegel for his many years of participation in NYSSMA and MIOSM and for his and his students, many performances at the state capitol over the years. He then spoke of the history of MIOSM before awarding a plaque to Mr. Siegel and the students.

“This program [MIOSM] started 38 years ago in NYC when a couple of band directors decided to showcase their school’s performing organizations in a concert in the city,” said Boschi. “Today, all over the USA, schools during the month of March are performing in state capitols, shopping centers, school auditoriums and state parks in celebration of Music in Our Schools Month.”

“One thing I have to say about this group,” he added. “Gary has a crew that works for him that I can’t believe…I wish I had these guys when I was teaching.”

Following the performances the students and their chaperones were treated to tours of the State Capitol Building and the Governor’s Mansion. The 5^th, 6^th and 7^th graders toured the Capitol while the 8^th graders toured the Governor’s Mansion.

The tour of the Capitol building included both a tour of the Senate and the Assembly. Thanks to the efforts of Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, some of the students were able to get a closer look, via a view from the floor of the house, while others watched from the balcony.

This reporter was with the group that toured the Capitol and was heartened by the interest that the students took in both the Senate and the Assembly proceedings. Truly citizenship was alive and well in this group of talented young musicians. But, their interest didn’t stop there. They asked questions of the tour guide about everything around them from how the government works to what type of architecture surrounded them.

All in all it was a wonderful day for the students, the chaperones and for those they met, whether their jobs are to represent them in our government or to help them in their enjoyment of our Capitol.

To view more  photos or to purchase prints from Liberty Middle School Bands Head to Albany visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

*The Catskill Chronicle is attempting to add video coverage to our news reporting. Please be patient as we learn this new technology. We hope you enjoy the Liberty Middle School Jazz Band’s performance of “Freebird” by Allen Collins/Ronnie Van Zant as arranged by Paul Murtha and conducted by Gary Siegel.