Friday, December 24, 2010

Berwick Academy Students Nationally Recognized for Musical Achievements

DOVER/BARRINGTON—
Berwick Academy Senior Frederick Diengott of Dover, NH and fourth grade student Kelsey Walker of Barrington, NH have both truly exemplified the musical prestige that Berwick Academy helps foster in its students. After working hard to each complete an audition tape characteristic of their singing abilities, both Frederick and Kelsey were accepted into elite national choir programs.
Frederick Diengott has been selected to take part in the 2011 American High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He will be participating in the Honors Choir, an honor designated only for extremely hard working high school performers. Frederick will join other finalists from both the United States and Canada for a special performance at Carnegie Hall in February 2011, and will have a chance to work with renowned conductor Dr. Eph Ehly.
When asked what Frederick looks forward to the most, he replied, “I really think that this is going to be an amazing experience. I look forward to being able to work with people from all over the country to help development my own singing abilities while also sharing with other students what I have learned at Berwick Academy.”
Frederick will work diligently over the next few months to learn the music provided to him by the program, described as a “nice mix between classical and spiritual styles with some patriotism,” and is extremely excited to see not only the choir he will be participating in, but the band and orchestra students who will also assemble at Carnegie Hall that same weekend to perform.
“It’s truly an experience that will be never be matched in my life. It’s a great honor and I can’t wait to represent Berwick Academy in the American High School Honors Performance in New York this February,” says Frederick Diengott.
Frederick studies music with a private instructor and is an active member of the arts at Berwick Academy. He has participated in the All-State choir program, the Maine District Music Festival, and was inducted to the Tri-M Music Honor Society during his time at BA. Most recently, he has been accepted to the 2011 Maine All-state choir. Additionally, Frederick is a member of the Boys Varsity Soccer team, 2010 Eastern Independent League Champions.
Kelsey Walker was also honored for her musical talents when she was recently awarded a place in the Organization of American Kodaly Educators’ National Conference Children’s’ Choir. After working closely with Maria Isaak, a certified Kodaly Specialist and music teacher at Berwick Academy, and Chorus Director Brenda LaForce before school and during recess, Kelsey was able to develop her singing talents to an unprecedented level.
Kelsey’s mother Diane commented, “Kelsey worked so hard to develop her singing abilities. Just creating an audition CD was a marvelous opportunity in itself so I am sure that performing in the choir will be an amazing experience for her.”
Kelsey’s mentors attribute the growth in her singing abilities to the Kodaly method, a teaching method geared towards instilling an inner appreciation for music and musical literacy. The Kodaly method, based on the beliefs of 20th century composer Zoltán Kodály, centers on the premise that music education helps expand students’ skills with singing, hearing, improvisation, intonation, listening, memory, phrasing and understanding form while also developing skill area foundations that students can base their education off of in the future.
Kelsey will continue to practice diligently to learn the music required of the performance and will have it memorized by the time she travels to Minneapolis in March to participate in three days of rehearsal prior to the final performance. The choir will be conducted by Jon Noyes, a music director and Choral Director of the Year for the Connecticut Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Both Frederick and Kelsey are active, hard working students at school and are thankful to participate in such amazing opportunities. Acceptance to these elite programs is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements they have worked so hard to develop at Berwick Academy.
Frederick will perform February 19, 2011 in New York City and Kelsey will sing March 19, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Both performances are open to the public and should be truly exceptional shows to attend. Berwick Academy is extremely proud of both Frederick and Kelsey for their accomplishments and look forward to their performances in the upcoming year.