Students in Mrs. Rebecca Pagnotta’s third grade class at Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School got a jumpstart on summer fun when they created their own campsite in the classroom. Tents were set up for cozy spots under their desks, and they viewed a campfire on the classroom’s big screen. Mrs. Pagnotta surprised the students with s’mores to celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer fun.

Date Added: 6/21/2022

Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School students had plenty of friendly competition at the grade-level field days this month. Physical education teachers Ms. Maria Amoscato and Mr. Joseph Camarda organized challenges for the students, including running and relay races. Parents attended the events that marked another successful school year in Rocky Point.

Date Added: 6/17/2022

The Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School held their spring concerts at the High School auditorium for the 4th/5th Grade Intermediate Chorus, 5th Grade Select Chorus High Notes and 5th Grade Beginner Orchestra on June 8. The JAE 4th/5th Grade Intermediate Chorus, under the direction of Mr. Craig Knapp, piano accompanist Mrs. Betsy Infranco and Mr. Knapp’s student teacher, Miss Desireé DeMelfi, performed a joyful and challenging program of four songs. The 5th Grade Select Chorus High Notes performed their Gold-rated program from their NYSSMA Major Organization Evaluation performance from the prior week. The JAE 5th Grade Beginner Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Dave Ventura, performed fun and difficult selections that the students enjoyed playing and were incredibly well-received by the audience.

A congratulatory message from Rocky Point music department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher read: “It’s been a very fun series of concerts in the Rocky Point School District. The return to live music this spring has been monumental! The wonderful concerts that all of the music children have performed in this spring are a true testament to their hard work, effort and dedication.”

“It was special for the JAE students to conclude what has been a joyful and inspirational concert season in Rocky Point,” Mr. Knapp added. “The students have spent countless hours rehearsing before school. The have sharpened not only their music skills, but they also learned the importance of building teamwork while leading up to their performances.”

Date Added: 6/15/2022

The Rocky Point School District music department hosted an Introduction to the Instrumental Program workshop for current fourth graders at Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School. This newly established event was designed to provide information and encourage students to join the JAE Band and Orchestra instrumental programs next year.

This event utilized an “Instrument Petting Zoo” format, where several tables were set up by the woodwind, brass, percussion and string instruments. After a brief introduction, students then rotated through the different stations so they could see, hold, hear and, in some cases, play, the instruments. Each workshop began with an introduction from Music Department Chairperson Mr. Craig Knapp, and music department faculty members contributed by leading parts of the sessions. They included Music Secondary Music Department Chairperson and band director Ms. Amy Schecher, band directors Mr. Vinny Ragona and Mr. Scott Goldstein, and orchestra directors Mr. Nick Bucher, Mr. Dave Ventura and Ms. Meghan Walter. The students then listened to a performance by the 5th Grade Band under the leadership of Mr. Ventura. At the end of the session, all students received an informational packet explaining to them and their parents how to make their instrument selection.

One of the contributing factors to the success of this event was the inclusion of 5th Grade Band and Orchestra Student Ambassadors. These students – Isaac Alexander, Victoria Barrett, Lilianna Bonacasa, Rose Cassarly, Samantha Cooper, Mason Crane, Madelyn DeRosa, Sena Donnelly, Carmella Gandiosi, Phoebe Graham, Marjorie Hannah, Brianna Jacobsen, Luke Jimenez, Charlotte Keane, Jay MacCarthy, Kirsten Mahler, Sarah Palmese, Emily Rothberg, Cayden Singh, Savannah Tychnowitz, Luis Videla, Holden Ward and Rebecca Watkis – helped to demonstrate their instruments and perform for the younger students. They also spoke about their own experiences performing in band or orchestra and were great peer mentors in helping to assist the younger students in making an informed decision when considering an instrument choice for next year.

A message from Rocky Point music department chairpersons Mr. Knapp and Ms. Schecher read: “We are very excited about introducing the students to the JAE Instrumental Program through this new initiative. We really hope the experience generated excitement for our students to play a band or orchestra instrument. It is our desire that the new ‘Instrument Petting Zoo’ format greatly assisted the students in making an informed decision for their instrument selection. We believe that having fifth graders acting in leadership roles is a crucial component for recruitment of our fourth graders and a great source of pride. The 5th Grade Band and Orchestra Student Ambassadors were so helpful and encouraging to the fourth grade students. Thank you to our talented students and dedicated music faculty for making this initial endeavor a positive and successful one.”

Date Added: 6/10/2022

Members of the JAE 5th Grade Select Chorus High Notes participated in the New York State School Music Association’s Major Organization Evaluation Festival recently. The NYSSMA Major Organization Evaluation Festival evaluates an entire performing ensemble and is an authentic way to get a true assessment of how that ensemble has progressed and performed.

High Notes led by Chorus Director Mr. Craig Knapp performed a Level 1 program, which included three songs in which they were evaluated by two certified NYSSMA Major Organization adjudicators. The students were evaluated in eight categories: tone, intonation, balance, technique, accuracy/execution, diction, interpretation and influencing factors. The adjudicators provided written and oral feedback on these categories, informing the chorus what they did well, and offered recommendations for further developing their skills.

High Notes received a Gold rating, demonstrating an outstanding level of technical and artistic skill in each of the evaluative categories.

A congratulatory message from Rocky Point music department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher read: “The NYSSMA Major Organization Evaluation Festival is the culmination of the music learning process. This includes the hard work, dedication, commitment, process and progress the students have made and exhibited throughout the school year. Receiving a Gold rating is not an easy task. It requires a great level of discipline, skill, artistry and attention to detail. The students performed extremely difficult music for their age level and we are very proud of their accomplishments. We are thankful that the Rocky Point School District continues to support these forms of experiences for the students and the music department.”

Date Added: 6/7/2022