EDWARD R.

MURROW HIGH SCHOOL

Allen Barge, PRINCIPAL

THE

MURROW MUSIC INSTITUTE

NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 8, No 1

2014/2015

Our Winter Concert Series: 2014 Musical Farewell; 2015

Musical Welcome
On December 19, 2014 the Music Institute presented A
Holiday Concert. Concert highlights: Beginning Chorus
performed a Traditional Hebrew Folk Song, Svivona; The Jazz
Band, featuring Marco Varisco, stopped the show with Santa
Claus is Coming To Town; Three Moods of Hanukkah was
performed beautifully by the Concert Band; the audience was
delighted by Mozarts Eine Kleine Nachtmusik as performed
by the Chamber Orchestra; Madrigal Choir performed
Chanukah, O Chanukah; Of course there was the perennial
audience sing-a-long of holiday favorites; Guitar Ensemble did
a selection from A Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas Time
Is Here, solos by Matthew Fitzgerald and Jon Arthis;
Student conductor, Melissa Fishman conducted the
Symphonic Band for A Hanukkah Festival; Gospel Chorus as
always delivered a dynamic performance of Joy to the World;
And the Finale was truly spectacular with the Symphonic Band
and all the Choruses performing Leroy Andersons Christmas
Festival. It was a blast!

EDITOR T. TORIELLO: TTORIEL@SCHOOLS.NYC.GOV

STUDENT WRITERS: Malcolm Best, Bernice Laura Eugene,
Karenna Hunter, Sandra Nicolas, Anna Wysocka,
Melissa Fishman, Asaph Charles, Jacob Yusufov

The Music Institute Faculty:

Tom Toriello, A. P., Cindy Christensen, Don Christensen,
Peter Douskalis, James Duncan, Cheryl Johnson,
Beth Prather, Alan Shapiro

The Winter Concert filled two nights, Thursday,

January 15 and Friday, January 16, to capacity with music.
This was easily done with over 400 students in ten ensembles
performing the works of Bach, Bartok, Rodgers and
Hammerstein, Mozart, Hindermith, Palestrina and Dizzy
Gillespie just to name of few. Family and friends showed
enthusiastic support for the faculty and students.
A New Addition To The Concert Series
By Jacob Yusufov
As the final performance in the Winter Concert Series,
the Guitar Ensemble and Repertoire Ensemble joined the stage
together for one large show. The Ensemble and Repertoire
class featured students that worked independently and
collaboratively on songs of their choice. Groups included duos,
trios, quartets, and more. The Guitar Ensemble performed a
variety of songs ranging from Classical to Jazz; the Jazz set
particularly highlighting numerous improvised solos.

Murrow Music Sponsor Hosts an Open Rehearsal

for Parents.
By Alana Aga

This rehearsal was for students of Concert Band and

the Band Techniques class. It was to demonstrate to parents
what we do in daily rehearsals. The open rehearsal took place
Monday evening October 6th and was hosted by the Murrow
Music Sponsors. In the audience were supportive parents,
family members and friends of very talented musicians; we
played scales, long tones, warmups, and brass lip slurs as part
of the Band Tech demonstration. Then Concert Band students
played sections from two beautiful and amazing pieces: The
Great American Frontier and The Three Moods of
Hanukkah. Both of these songs have a wide range of
expressiveness from a lush, mellow, and rich to harsh, chaotic
and powerful! I think the parents learned a lot about how and
what we learn in class.
What Part Does Programming Play for the Music
Institute?

alma mater; stepping foot in the building felt like home. The
purpose for this trip was to give the 8th graders of Marine Park
a sample of our wonderful music program.
First the Symphonic band performed "Florentiner March"
conducted by Ben Futterman , an assistant director and fellow
student. Following this piece was a more relaxed happy
selection, "Hanukah Festival" conducted by myself. Last but
not least our teacher, Mr.Christensen, closed our part of the
show with a powerful piece entitled "Russian Christmas
Music". Next the Madrigal chorus performed two lovely
selections - "Matona Mia Cara" and "Come Again Sweet Love
Doth Now." A member of chorus, Ewa Graboska said, "I
really like Matona Mia Cara. The coolest parts of the piece is
the last section where all parts have a different part to sing but
join together at the end." Another member of Madrial Choir,
Gianna Marie Sciortino shared her thoughts, Singing for
music students just a few years younger than me was a
fantastic opportunity to share Murrow's music program with
other prospective students. I hope I inspired the 8th graders to
become music students. Jazz Band opened with a New
Orleans treatment of "Comin' Home Baby". This piece was full
of cool improvised solos and provided a fun atmosphere for
the audience. For the last tune the jazz band pull out their
secret weapon. Sweeping the 8th grade girls right off their feet
was Marco Varisco with "Santa Claus is Coming To Town".
The Marine Park principal, Ms.Garofalo cried tears of joy. It
was fun to return home and make so many kids happy.
The Junior Chorus Gets a Good Start to the School Year

By Reed Perlowitz, Assistant Principal Administration

Computer Services
It is the programming process that allows our screened
music students to take their high-level music classes as well as
all of the other classes that are needed to graduate. And it is
the responsibility of the programming office to make certain
that happens. The education that goes on from that point
happens thanks to the dedication of our phenomenal staff. The
program office then monitors the progress of our students
through attendance and grading.
When I attend a show or concert I enjoy seeing the
work of teachers, administrators and most importantly the
students. The final task of the program office, and the one that
we are most proud of, is printing a diploma for each of our
graduates.
Marine Park JHS Alums Return to Many Happy Faces
By Melissa Fishman
On Friday November 14th, Jazz Band, Madrigal
Chorus and Symphonic Band boarded a bus and headed to
Marine Park JHS. There was excitement in the air for many
Murrow students since for some, including myself, this is our

In December, for the Holiday Concert, the choristers

joined forces with the Senior Chorus, Madrigal Chorus, Gospel
Chorus and Beginning Choruses in singing Christmas Festival
by Leroy Anderson accompanied by the Symphonic Band. The
students thoroughly enjoyed their first performance with a
Symphonic Band.
On January 15th, for the Winter Concert, the Junior
Chorus took the spotlight singing three contrasting pieces. The
chorus opened with an arrangement of a Mozart canon
featuring two members of the Concert Band, followed by a
beautiful version of the American folk song Shenandoah by
Elliot Z. Levine. Their final selection was a rousing Zambian
folk song Bonse Aba with percussionists from the Jazz Band.
The singers are looking forward to their trip to Albany in
March as part of the Music In the Schools Month.

Murrow Music Institute Alum Offers Great Opportunities

For Our Students.
Ava Lehrer (Murrow class of 05)
is Manager of Music Education
Outreach for the 92nd Street Ys
Tisch Center for the Arts. In 2009,
Ava graduated from Bard College
with a major in comparative
literature and a minor in music
performance. She continued on for
a Masters Degree in General and
Special Education.
In November 2014, Ava
helped launch a new education
outreach program that brings
students and teachers from NYC
public high schools to the 92nd
Street Ys world-class concerts at no
cost to the students or their schools. Wherever possible,
students meet the artists before the concert, share a free dinner
and gain access to the artists recordings.
Being a former member of the Symphonic Band
(clarinet), Ava wanted Murrow to be the first High School to
be invited to participate. In the beginning of the school year
she returned to introduce the program at a Professional
Development day for Madison, Midwood and Murrow hosted
by Murrow. Within months our students were off to see
amazing concerts for free! In November, a group of Ms.
Prathers piano students attended Jonathan Bisss performance
of works by Beethoven, Schumann, Schoenberg and Berg. Mr.
Duncans string players attended Jennifer Kohs Bach and
Beyond concert and had the chance to meet with Ms. Koh for
an informal conversation after her performance. Next month,
Mr. Douskaliss guitar ensemble will participate in 92Ys
Guitar Festa daylong event featuring guitar workshops for
players of all levels and genres led by Ben Verdery of Yale
University. In the 2015-16 season, Ms. Lehrer will expand the
program to include pre-concert visits to participating classes.
Students will participate in lessons that connect their academic
Ava said it was gratifying to give something back to Murrow
and we are very grateful as well. Thank you Ava!
Tri M Honor Society Members Ring in the Holidays for a
Good Cause.
By Ana Wysocka
Murrow's new and improved Tri-M Music Honor
Society- led by the newly elected officers -Benjamin
Futterman, president; Zachary Rosalinsky, vice president;
Jacob Flickinger, secretary; Francisco Rivas, treasurer; and
Anna Wysocka, historian - decided to ring in the holidays
(literally) with some fun and cheerful music before the holiday
concert and before school on December 22nd and 23rd. Tri-M
raised more than 300 dollars with donations from teachers and
students for the Methodist Hospital Pediatric Ward toy drive.
The holiday season is all about giving to those who truly need
it and spreading holiday cheer. Congratulations to the officers
who organized the fundraiser and our members who played for
such a good cause.

Winter Production: Wizard of Oz

On stage and in the pit Music Institute students worked

together to do a fine performance of the classic Wizard of Oz,
directed by Roberta Raymond with Musical Director, Don
Christensen. There was an added morning performance
attended by over 900 elementary school children from all over
the borough of Brooklyn.
Congratulations to Cast, crew and pit and the teachers who
worked so hard to produce a wonderful production.
NEW!! Online Ticketing Now Available for all Our
Concerts
For the first time tickets for the Spring Concert Series will be
available online. The concerts are the Spring Concert: Part I,
Thursday, May 28, Part II Friday May 29 and Part III, the
Ensemble Concert on Thursday, June 11. For tickets go to
ermurrowhs.org and click ONLINE TICKET SALES! - under
LINKS. Tickets are $8.00 online, $10 at the door. There is a
package price, $22 for attending all three performances.

Three Inspiring Performances by the Gospel Chorus

Tunnel to Towers Run

By Malcolm Best
On September 28th, 2014, for the 8th year in a row, the
Gospel Chorus performed at the Tunnel to Towers marathon in
remembrance of the honorable firefighter, Stephen Siller.
The Gospel Chorus performed with the assistance of
Mr. Toriello on piano and Samuel Henry on drums. The chorus
sang for several hours cheering on the runners. Ive been
doing this for heaven knows how many years, Gospel Chorus
director Ms. Cheryl Johnson said. But each year I find it truly
amazing how our chorus young people have such an uplifting
effect on the runners and in turn how inspired we are by the
runners. All Gospel Chorus singers, past and present have
experienced the tremendously positive effect of participating in
such an uplifting event.
Medgar Evers College Event
By Bernice Laura Eugene
On the evening of Thursday, November 6th the Gospel
Chorus was honored to perform for the 2014 Closing the
Achievement Gap Series at Medgar Evers College. This event
was sponsored by the office of the Brooklyn superintendent as
a town hall forum on Brown vs. Board of Education:
Celebrating 60 Years of a Movement. The Chorus sang Lift
Every Voice and Sing to start the program then the keynote
speaker, NYC Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina did her
presentation.
We sang our hearts out and touched many hearts with
our music. It was great to have people complementing us on
how well we did and thanking us for performing. That feels
good. I was so proud of the Gospel Chorus.
Brooklyn Independent Media TV Performance
By Karenna Hunter & Sandra Nicolas
On the morning of November 6, 2014 the Murrow
Gospel Chorus, accompanied by several members of the
Murrow Jazz Band, went downtown Brooklyn to do a live TV
performance at the BRIC Studio for the show BK Live! It was
an honor to be invited to perform. They welcomed us with joy
and we even had a little breakfast before we performed. The
people were so kind and couldnt wait to hear us sing. We sang
Not Unto Us, The Storm, God is All Around, and God
Is In Control. Our performance was great. We had a great
time and everyone was so proud because we had a once in a
lifetime experience.
How Does a String Quartet Accompany The Planets?
By Asaph Charles
My name is Asaph Charles and I am a cellist in
Murrows Chamber Orchestra. On November 20th I had a
wonderful experience playing in the planetarium with Brian
Yu(violin), Gaby Senises(violin), and Joanne Chen(viola).
We were allowed to improvise and create music while the
audience watched the planets orbit. It was unusual for us
because we played in the dark and therefore could hardly see
each other. This made it challenging to communicate, however
I was happy with the music that we made. From the audience's
reaction, it seemed that they were pleased also. On behalf of
my classmates, I would like to thank Mr. Duncan and Mr.
Horowitz for giving us this amazing opportunity.

Music Institute Is the Subject of a Doctoral Thesis.

My name is Frank Martignetti, and I am a former
public school music teacher (ten years), college professor
(University of Bridgeport, Connecticut) and Ph.D. candidate
(New York University). My dissertation is a study of Murrows
music program, which is interesting in many ways, particularly
its large size, breadth, and depth. I am at Murrow on
Wednesdays and Fridays and for most performances. Im very
grateful to the Murrow community for their warm welcome!
Until the end of the school year, Ill be asking students to
volunteer to be interviewed during their OPTAS. Students
names will be changed in the dissertation, and students may
opt out at any time. I am hoping to speak with a broad crosssection of the Music Institute community.
Interviewing
requires a signed parental consent form. Please feel free to
contact me with questions at frankmartignetti@gmail.com, and
thanks for your help!

Music Institute Calendar

April
Mon. 20, 7:00
PM

Auditorium

MMS meeting and Susquehanna U. trip safety

meeting.

Mandatory for
students going on
the trip and their
parents

Thurs., 30 5/2

Susquehanna
Univ/Hershey
PA.

University workshops, competition and

Hershey amusement park

Symphonic, Jazz
bands, Guitar
Ens, Chamber
Orch, Gospel,
Mixed and
Madrigal
Choruses

May
Mon., 4

End of Marking Period 2

Wed., 6
Sat., 9

Auditorium

Spring musical
The Addams Family

Fri., 8 Sat., 9

Marine Park
JHS.

NYSSMA SOLO
EVALUATIONS

Mon., 11
7:00 PM

A14

MMS meeting

Tues., 12

Five performances TBA

Recommended for parents.

Marking Period 2 Report Card

Tues., 19
1:00 PM

St. Pauls Chapel

NYC

Madrigal Choir
performance

Wed., 27
3:00 PM

Auditorium

Finale rehearsal

Mandatory attendance for all students

participating in the Finale performance.

Thur., 28
7:00 PM

Auditorium

SPRING CONCERT
Pt. 1

Tickets available on online for the first

time!
6:00 CALL

Fri., 29
7:00 PM

Auditorium

SPRING CONCERT
Pt. 2

Tickets available on online for the first

time!
6:00 CALL

June
Thurs., 4 All
day

Music Hall

Ensemble auditions

Music Institute students audition for

placement in an ensemble for next year

Thur., 11
7:00 PM

Auditorium

SPRING CONCERT
Pt. 3 Ensemble Concert

Guitar ensemble and ensemble class

students.
Tickets available on online for the first
time!
6:00 CALL

Mon., 15

Last day of classes

Sat., 20 ALL
DAY

MUSIC HALL,
AUDITORIUM

Music Institute Choral

Music Festival

Festival fun:
All vocal students and teachers to host
JHS and elementary schools.

Tue., 16 Thurs., 25

Wed. 24

Regents exams

Graduation Symphonic Band and Graduates Chorus to perform