Fifth graders from Unqua Elementary School in the Massapequa School District played before two separate audiences on two different stages, all in one day. It was the culmination of nearly two years of music rehearsals but also a showcase of what’s to come.
The advanced band, chorus and orchestra each performed three songs for the spring concert on March 27, beginning with a daytime show in the Unqua auditorium and an audience of third graders, fourth graders and teachers. At night, it was the same music, but the setting was the next stop on their musical journey – the Berner Middle School stage with families as onlookers.
First up was the orchestra, under the direction of Alison Pearl. The three selections were “Fiddlers,” “Royal Promenade” and “What Makes You Beautiful.” The chorus, led by Janice Abel, followed with “Rhythm of Life,” “Duérmete Mi Niño” and a very lively performance of "I’m a Believer.”
High school band teacher Andrew Dwork joined each of those ensembles for one on song on the drums. Nancy Deutsch served as the piano accompanist for the chorus.
Unqua’s fifth grade band, conducted by Christopher Marson, closed out the show with “Starsplitter Fanfare,” “Mechanical Monsters” and “Rockin’ the Blues.”
Approximately 75 fifth graders are in at least one ensemble, with many of the musicians a part of both the chorus and one instrumental group. In fourth grade, they performed an end-of-year beginner concert, but the fifth grade advanced groups do both winter and spring performances.