Upcoming Events
Thursday, December 17 at 7:00 pm
H.S. Jazz & Orchestra Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Monday, December 21 at 7:00 pm
Middle School Band Concert
Norwin Middle School Auditorium
Friday, January 22
Norwin’s Got Talent
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Thursday, February 4 at 7 pm
Winter High School Band Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Hillcrest Chamber Music Concert
Wednesday, March 16 at 7 pm
Hillcrest Auditorium
March 18 thru March 20
Spring Musical
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Norwin Music on the web
Norwin Music Department
Hillcrest Int. School norwininstrumentalmusic.wordpress.com
Middle School
http://bit.ly/NorwinMSBand
Norwin Band Aides
http://norwinband.net/nba
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Thursday, March 31 at 7 pm
Percussion Ensemble
PMEA Send-Off Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Tuesday, April 19 at 7 pm
Percussion Ensemble Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Thursday, May 5 at 7 pm
Combined Band Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Friday, May 6 at 7 pm
Norwin H.S. Orchestra Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Tuesday, May 17th at 7 pm
Middle School Orchestra Concert
Norwin Middle School Auditorium
Wednesday, May 18 at 7 pm
Hillcrest Orchestra Concert
Hillcrest Auditorium
http://bit.ly/NorwinMusicDept
High School
norwinband.net
http://bit.ly/NorwinHSBand
twitter.com/NorwinBand
instagram.com/NorwinBand
Michael Szymanski and Ian Morrison,
directors
From the Superintendent
As Superintendent of Schools and on behalf of all in attendance this
evening, I congratulate and commend all student musicians who are
performing tonight. We recognize your extraordinary musical abilities,
acknowledging that you represent the best and the brightest of our youth
and also what is great about our country.
The Norwin School District is a national model for supporting and
advancing music education and the performing arts. It is an allegiance
based on tradition and community pride and a commitment to academic
excellence, music education, and the performing arts.
Tonight’s Selections
Middle School Orchestra
Incantations for String Orchestra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Hinds
Winter – from The Four Seasons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Meyer
(performed by the 8th grade class)
Folk Dance – from Three Dances for Strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elliot Del Borgo
Shivaree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl Strommen
(performed by the CAGED Ensemble)
Good King Wenceslas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Welsh Carol/ arr.Wieloszynski

I encourage all in attendance to continue as advocates of music education

Middle School Orchestra
and the arts by taking a greater leadership role in your schools and 8th Grade Violin Autumn Doyle Viola
communities to strengthen and preserve K-12 music and arts programs. Mariana Bajich Katie Elliot Joe Andelmo
We highlight these research points published by Miami University of Ohio: Chelsea Biehl David Emro* Matt Fucheck
Katherine Blake John Giansante* Darby Haynes*
1. Children who study music tend to have larger vocabularies and more Miriam Davila* Ryan Grabowski Nick Hines*
Michael Fekete* Lauren Hall Tegan Lochner*
advanced reading skills than their peers who do not participate in
Megan Giles Sherry Hannan Billy Balaban*
music lessons.
Helena Holland Sarah Hartner Nick Markovina
2. Research shows that music is to the brain as physical exercise is to
Kristy Juart* Annika Hartzo* Elizabeth Zapanta*
the human body. Emily Jumba* Abby Homick
3. A study from Columbia University revealed that students who study Bailee Kelly* Harish Kodavali Cello
arts are more cooperative with their teachers and peers, have higher Ashley Krivansky Aria Lauritzen* Artie Howard
levels self-confidence, and are more equipped to express themselves Zach Mumpower Georgia Manning Erica Peters*
and their ideas. Alex Novak* Alex Nicholson Izzy Reed*
Ashley Pesarsick* Zach Potthoff Abigail Abia
We thank our hosts today, the principals and music teachers, as well as Madison Roble
the numerous Norwin parent and community volunteers who provide 7th Grade Violin Jordan Schiller Bass
never-ending support to our developing musicians. They all deserve our Brendan Ash Abbey Siffrinn Ava Babbie
profound gratitude. Katie Baker* Ethan Sommers* Noelani Seybert
Erin Bollinger* Lily Wedge Elly Stodolsky
Best wishes for an enjoyable evening, and please continue to keep music Madison Buscemi* Savannah Widmaier
and the performing arts in a prominent place in your lives, both now and Shannon Dandar* Zachary Zezza *CAGED Ensemble
in the future!

Board of Education and Administration

William H. Kerr, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

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Tonight’s Selections From the Principal
Fifth Grade Orchestra
Into the Sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Balmages Good Evening,
Lament for Strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Bange
A Sleigh Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Bange I want to thank all of you for your attendance at this evening’s winter
band concert. Mr. Szymanski, Mr. Morrison and their students have
Sixth Grade Orchestra been diligently working in preparation for tonight’s program. They are
A Baroque Toccata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Bange to be commended for their commitment and dedication to success
Celtic Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Williams in the arts, as well as in the classroom. I am extremely proud of each
Ode to Joy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ludwig van Beethoven arr. by Matteo Giammario and every member and the role they play in carrying on the proud
tradition of the Norwin music program.
Hillcrest Musicians
Please continue to encourage, enlighten and support your children as
Oliver Hinson Hannah Shaw Aidan Conroy they grow into quality young adults. Again, I thank you for being here
Joey Holland Julian Waters Ashley Cumpston and hope you enjoy this evening’s program.
Matthew Lindh Bella Watkins Jessica Duerstein
Owen Prutz Rebekah Whittaker Cassie Dye Happy Holidays,
Alivia Tepke Miranda Widmaier Julie Fekete
Amanda Coneybeer Bailey Woodward Nathan Fell
Maddie Smith Ryan Zaya-Burkett Lane Fischer Mr. Suman
Betsy Szymanski Alexander Zimmerman Micah Gaydos
Aidan Ash Alayna Francis Hunter Haines
Ramona Beckman Grace Heuer Emily Hunn
Isabella Belko Christopher Ragan Triniti Joy Did You Know?
Jacob Biehl Emma Balaban Mary Kochis
Connor Bollinger Nicholas DiPerna Alyssa Laukus Music training not only helps children develop fine motor skills, but aids
Abigail Campbell Cody Kelly Keeley MacKenzie emotional and behavioral maturation as well.
Shannon Daley Tori Marflak Elizabeth Mahoney
Abigail Dopkosky Sydney Pesarsick Michael Mercer
The more a child trains on an instrument, it accelerates cortical
Samantha Findura Elana Smiley Jordan Napierkowski
Abigael Furlong Emilie Watson Addison Patrick organization in attention skill, anxiety management and emotional
Lily Henry Austin Hewitt Karina Rosario control.
Andrea Hogue Olivia Knoechel Zachary Smith
Anthony Janiga Trina Lord Sonia Snider Three-quarters of U.S. high school students “rarely or never” take
Keeper Juart Josh Yanan Prescott Stauffer extracurricular lessons in music or the arts.
Noah Kelly Spencer Ballas Paloma Swankler
Madelynn Kessler Colleen Boatright Riley Turnbull —Cortical Thickness Maturation and Duration of Music Training: Health-Promoting Activities
Callie Meyer Kaylin Brucker Naman Verma Shape Brain Development by James J. Hudziak, MD et al, November 2014
Julia Parente Robby Burns Carina Walls
Chloe Puza Evelyn Cao Emma Westover
Zachary Rymarowicz Jacob Capets Steven Zheng
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About the directors Special thanks to…

Michael Szymanski is a 1991 graduate of Norwin High School and The parents of all the students Todd Leighty and the
received a B.S. in Music Education from Duquesne University in 1995. represented tonight for Auditorium Production Team
Mr. Szymanski has been the Middle School Orchestra director since supporting Fine Arts Mr. Evanov and the stage crew
being hired in 1996 and became the High School Orchestra director Education Pat Geiger, Jim Dezorzi and the
Our student musicians Norwin Maintenance
in 1998. In addition to their annual winter and spring concerts, the
Norwin School District and Custodial Staff
H.S. Orchestra often performs with the Norwin Chorus, at invitational Board of Education Ushers and Volunteers
festivals and for various community and scholastic events. In recent William H. Kerr, Ed.D., The Norwin Music Department
years, the H.S. Orchestra has received numerous Superior ratings at Superintendent of Schools Michael Szymanski
PMEA Music Performance Assessments and other adjudicated festivals. Timothy J. Kotch, Sr., Tim Daniels
During his time at Norwin, Michael has also taught elementary band and Asst. Superintendent Greg Ondayko
orchestra, elementary and middle school general music, music theory, Mrs. Natalie A. McCracken, Kim Glover
Asst. Superintendent Denise Bilott
and guitar. He has been the Music Department Chairperson since
and the Norwin School Ian Morrison
2011. In his time away from school, Mr. Szymanski enjoys reading, hiking, District Administration Devon Lippmann
camping and long road trips. He continues to be an active freelance Norwin Faculty and Staff Bridget Faulk
performer on violin and viola. Michael and his wife Jennifer currently Michael D. Choby, Principal Lauren McCurdy
reside in North Huntingdon with their daughters, Betsy and Abby. Joseph V. Shigle, III, Elizabeth Stephens
Assistant Principal Fred King
A graduate from the Norwin School District, Ian Morrison received Timothy P. McCabe, Lynn Spiegel
Assistant Principal Chuck & Lois Jano
his B.S. in music education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
and the Norwin H.S. Our students’ many
and his M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Clarion University. Administration private teachers
Mr. Morrison began teaching at Norwin in 2000 and his duties have Mr. Robert Suman, Principal Hillcrest Orchestra Officers
included everything from Kindergarten Music to High School Band. Mr. Troy Collier, Sydney Pesarsick, President
Currently, Mr. Morrison teaches string instruments at Hahntown, Assistant Principal Jacob Capets,
Sheridan Terrace, Stewartsville, and Sunset Valley Elementary Schools and the Norwin M.S. Secretary/Treasurer
and Hillcrest Intermediate School. Mr. Morrison resides in North Administration & Staff Kathleen Heuer,
Huntingdon with his wife Kim and son Aiden. Mr. Brian O’Neil, Principal concert program design
Ms. Lisa Banasick,
Assistant Principal
Recommended Private Teachers and the Hillcrest Intermediate
School Administration & Staff
The Music Room 724.863.7666 Irwin All instruments Fifth and Sixth Grade
Rana’s Music Studio 724.913.0467 Irwin violin, viola, cello Classroom Teachers
Vickie Beck 412.829.2207 N. Versailles violin, viola, cello Thank you for your continued support of the Norwin Music
Department, specifically the Norwin Orchestra Program!

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