End of the Year Party 2024

 On Friday, May 31st, 2024, the Barton Pond music program had their annual end of the year party and award ceremony at Galaxy Fun Park! Students received awards for participating in the chorus, percussion ensemble, and the ukulele club. Students also received awards for displaying leadership and excellence in music clubs. There was a pizza dinner at this event to allow students time to celebrate and socialize with their musical friends! We had an amazing time jumping on trampolines, dining, and celebrating the accomplishments of the students in the Barton Pond music clubs. We are looking forward to starting another great year in the fall!

Birthday 2024

I had a great birthday today! I want to thank the students and staff of Barton Pond for making this a great day!

 

May 2024 Performances

The Barton Pond music program had a productive month during the month of May! On Sunday, May 5th, 2024, the chorus and percussion ensemble performed at North Raleigh Presbyterian's annual Youth Sunday. The students performed "Sing We Hallelujah" by Franz Joseph Haydn and traditional hymns. On Friday, May 10th, 2024, the chorus performed the musical It's a Hit by John Jacobson and John Higgins at our annual spring concert. There were also performances by the ukulele club and percussion ensemble at this event. On Thursday, May 16th, 2024, the chorus and percussion ensemble performed at our school's annual Pond-a-Palooza event. The students had a great time performing outside for the staff, students, and parents of Barton Pond. We are looking forward to starting another great year in the fall! 

2024 Pieces of Gold Showcase

On Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, the Barton Pond Chorus participated in the annual Pieces of Gold showcase. They performed the song "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman. The students had an exciting time participating in the show and enjoying performances from schools across Wake County. We want to thank all Barton Pond staff members, parents, and community members that supported us in this endeavor! Below you can see pictures from the night of the show!

 

2024 Wake County Elementary Honors Chorus

 

On Friday, February 2nd and Saturday, February 3rd, 2024, we sent a delegation of students to participate in the 2024 Wake County Elementary Honors Chorus event. Max Allen, Lillie Boggs, Taylor Earnhardt, Mara Gauch, and Kali Gries were selected to participate in this exciting event. The clinician was Sally Albrecht. Sally is a distinguished and nationally renowned choral clinician. The songs included on the concert were "A Small Part of the World" by Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse, "Sakura", a traditional Japanese song arranged by Sally Albrecht, "Dream Keeper" by Rollo Dilworth, "Tongo" arranged by Greg Gilpin, and "Cantar" by Jay Althouse. The 4th and 5th grade Wake County students that participated in this event did a phenomenal job. We are looking forward to participating in this event next year!

2023 Barton Pond Winter Concert

On Thursday, December 14th, 2023 at 6 p.m. we had our annual winter concert at Barton Pond. The chorus performed the musical Flakes by John Higgins and John Jacobson. There were also performances by our school's percussion ensemble and ukulele club. The kindergarteners ended our show by performing some holiday tunes in a grand finale. I want to thank Terri Nicotera, the minister of music at the North Raleigh Presbyterian church, for working with the percussion club this semester to prepare them for our winter concert. Cara Hahn, a former 5th grader at Barton Pond, returned from Pine Hollow Middle School to perform for us on the violin again. She performed movement one of Vivaldi's Concerto in A minor, Op. 3, No. 6 and did a phenomenal job. I want to thank our art teacher, Mrs. Annie Pakes, for creating snowflake necklaces and making a Flakes sign for our performance. I also want to thank Clyde Murray for making the Barton Pond weather report that preceded the show. The video was a creative way to start a musical about snowflakes! The North Raleigh Presbyterian Church hosted a reception for us following the event. We are grateful to them for their hospitality. We had a blast at this event and are looking forward to our spring concert! Above you can see pictures from the event and below you can see the weather report that preceded our concert.

2023 Raleigh Christmas Tree Lighting

On Friday, November 17th, 2023, the Barton Pond chorus kicked off the 2023 Raleigh Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Raleigh with some holiday songs. The members of the chorus also got to enjoy holiday performances by a vocal ensemble from North Carolina State University and the Raleigh Youth Choir. Santa Claus made an appearance at this event and took pictures with many of the kids who attended the event. On the stage in front of the Meymandi Concert Hall, there was a live jazz band playing holiday tunes. There were also food trucks, vendors, festive lights, and a snow machine that created a fun holiday environment. The chorus had an amazing time at this event and we hope to participate in this event in the future!