Hightly qualified musicians were on hand to critique and assist students
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - The string teachers of the Washington Township School District presented its 31st annual American String Teachers' Association (ASTA) Solo and Ensemble Festival for middle school (grades 6-7) students Tuesday morning and afternoon at Chestnut Ridge Middle School (CRMS).
The festival provided an opportunity for the young musicians to perform in chamber groups and as soloists. The soloists and ensembles performed for an audience of their peers. Highly qualified clinicians, including Rachel Ellis (master cellist), Andriana Markano (master violinist and violist), Steven Heitlinger (master violist), Eric Aldrich (master pianist) and Natalie Rudoi (master violinist), were on hand to critique and assist the performers. The festival is organized in an open, master class setting so that performers and the audience can listen to and learn from the clinician's comments.
In addition to the one-on-one instruction, the clinicians also led group activities to involve the entire audience. And prior to the instruction, Ellis, Markano, Heitlinger, Aldrich and Rudoi performed a 30-minute concert for the middle school students and staff.
A highlight of the day was the return to CRMS of Markano, who attended the school and was a student of current CRMS orchestra/music teacher Toni Benecchi. Markano graduated from Washington Township High School in 2008.
A similar event for students in grades 8-12 will be held Feb. 25 at Washington Township High School.