Norwin Orchestra

featuring the musicians of

Hillcrest Intermediate School
and Norwin Middle School

Winter Concert
December 16, 2014

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.

Research provided by the National Association for Music Education

shows that students in high-quality school music programs score higher
on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient
music education programs, regardless of the socioeconomic level of
the school or school district. Therefore, I encourage all in attendance
to continue as advocates of music education and the arts by taking a
greater leadership role in your schools and communities to strengthen
and preserve K-12 music and arts programs.

We thank our hosts today, the principals and music teachers, as well as
the numerous Norwin parent and community volunteers who provide
never-ending support to our developing musicians. They all deserve
our profound gratitude.

Best wishes for an enjoyable evening, and please continue to keep

music and the performing arts in a prominent place in your lives, both
now and in the future!

Board of Education and Administration

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

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 From the Principal

Good Evening,

I want to thank all of you for your attendance at this evening’s winter
concert. I am delighted to acknowledge this year’s group of young
musicians who have devoted countless hours above and beyond the
scope of the classroom. Their commitment and dedication to success
in the arts, as well as the classroom, is astonishing to say the least. I am
extremely proud of each and every member and the role they play in
carrying on the proud tradition of the Norwin Band. Please continue
to encourage, enlighten and support your children as they grow into
quality young adults. Again, I thank you for being here and hope you
enjoy this evening’s program.

Happy Holidays,

Mr. Suman
Principal, Norwin Middle School

Did You Know?

With music in schools, students connect to each other better—greater

camaraderie, fewer fights, less racism and reduced use of hurtful sarcasm.
—Eric Jensen, Arts With the Brain in Mind, 2001

Students who participate in school band or orchestra have the lowest

levels of current and lifelong use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs
among any group in our society.
—H. Con. Res. 266, United States Senate, June 13, 2000

Music training helps under-achievers. Students lagging behind in

scholastic performance caught up to their fellow students in reading
and surpassed their classmates in math by 22% when given music
instruction over seven months.
—Nature, May 23, 1996
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About the directors

Michael Szymanski is a 1991 graduate of Norwin High School and

received a B.S. in Music Education from Duquesne University in 1995.
Mr. Szymanski has been the Middle School Orchestra director since
being hired in 1996 and became the High School Orchestra director
in 1998. In addition to their annual winter and spring concerts, the
H.S. Orchestra often performs with the Norwin Chorus, at invitational
festivals and for various community and scholastic events. In recent
years, the H.S. Orchestra has received numerous Superior ratings at
PMEA Music Performance Assessments and other adjudicated festivals.
During his time at Norwin, Michael has also taught elementary band and
orchestra, elementary and middle school general music, music theory,
and guitar. He has been the Music Department Chairperson since
2011. In his time away from school, Mr. Szymanski enjoys reading, hiking,
camping and long road trips. He continues to be an active freelance
performer on violin and viola. Michael and his wife Jennifer currently
reside in North Huntingdon with their daughters, Betsy and Abby.

A graduate from the Norwin School District, Ian Morrison received

his B.S. in music education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
and his M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Clarion University.
Mr. Morrison began teaching at Norwin in 2000 and his duties have
included everything from Kindergarten Music to High School Band.
Currently, Mr. Morrison teaches string instruments at Hahntown,
Sheridan Terrace, Stewartsville, and Sunset Valley Elementary Schools
and Hillcrest Intermediate School. Mr. Morrison resides in North
Huntingdon with his wife Kim and son Aiden.

Recommended Private Teachers

The Music Room 724.863.7666 Irwin All instruments

Rana’s Music Studio 724.913.0467 Irwin violin, viola, cello
Vickie Beck 412.829.2207 N. Versailles violin

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 Special thanks to…

The parents of all the students Fifth and Sixth Grade

represented tonight for Classroom Teachers
supporting Fine Arts Todd Leighty and the
Education Auditorium Production Team
Our student musicians Mr. Evanov and the stage crew
Norwin School District Pat Geiger, Jim Dezorzi and the
Board of Education Norwin Maintenance
William H. Kerr, Ed.D., and Custodial Staff
Superintendent of Schools Ushers and Volunteers
Dr. Tracy A. McNelly, The Norwin Music Department
Asst. Superintendent Michael Szymanski
Mrs. Natalie A. McCracken, Tim Daniels
Asst. Superintendent Greg Ondayko
and the Norwin School Kim Glover
District Administration Denise Bilott
Norwin Faculty and Staff Ian Morrison
Timothy J. Kotch, Sr.,, Principal Devon Lippmann
Joseph V. Shigle, Assistant Principal Elizabeth Stephens
Michael D. Choby, Fred King,
Assistant Principal Lynn Spiegel
and the Norwin H.S. Chuck & Lois Jano
Administration Our students’ many
Sharon Farino, Debbie Depp, private teachers
Mary Rorabaugh, and the Hillcrest Orchestra Officers
Norwin H.S. Staff Alaina Smith, President
Mr. Robert Suman, Principal Ethan Sommers,
Mr. Troy Collier, Secretary/Treasurer
Assistant Principal Kathleen Heuer,
and the Norwin M.S. concert program design
Administration & Staff
Mr. Brian O’Neil, Principal
Ms. Lisa Banasick,
Assistant Principal
and the Hillcrest Intermediate
School Administration & Staff
Thank you for your continued support of the Norwin Music
Department, specifically the Norwin Orchestra Program!

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Tonight’s Selections
Hillcrest Orchestra
Chorale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Francis Feese
The Dark Crusader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donald Josuweit
Loch Lamond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Noah Klaus
Two Winter Sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Brian Balmages
Song of Peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deborah Baker Monday
Frosty the Snowman . . . . . . . . Steve Nelson & Jack Rollins arr. Lloyd Conley

Middle School Orchestra

Fanfare for Strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doris Gazda
Moonlight Tango (performed by the 8th grade class) . . . . . . . . . . Richard Meyer
Beaver Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce Chace
Silver Bells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Livingston and Evans/arr. Frost
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
(performed by the CAGED Ensemble) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leon Jessel/arr. McLeod
Deck the Halls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Welsh Carol

Middle School Orchestra

8th Grade Violin 7th Grade Violin Viola
Matthew Alford* Mariana Bajich Stepahnie Carr*
Kaylee Amdurs Devin Barrett Kiana Francis
Abigail Burns Chelsea Biehl Logan Mancini
Emily Conroy* Katherine Blake Joe Andelmo
Nailey Dziedzic* Jackie Caputo Sedona Focht
Tara Figas* Miriam Davila* Matt Fucheck
Kevin Grabowski* Michael Fekete* Darby Haynes*
Amanda Hanley* Carissa Findura Nick Hines*
Coralynn Harris* Megan Giles Tegan Lochner
David Klinvex Helena Holland
Hannah Kozak* Mara Hudson Cello
John Mamas* Kristy Juart* Ian Crow*
Carolyn Tachoir* Emily Jumba* Antonio Carrick
Benjamin Yanan Bailee Kelly* Artie Howard
Ashley Krivansky Erica Peters*
Amanda Lee Izzy Reed*
Zach Mumpower
Alex Novak* Bass
Allison Persi Maddy Trisch
Ashley Pesarsick*
Kaitlyn Winwood *CAGED Ensemble
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 Hillcrest musicians

Abigail Abia Micah Gaydos Christopher Ragan

Brendan Ash John Giansante* Blaze Robinson
Ava Babbie Ryan Grabowski* Karina Rosario
Katie Baker* Hunter Haines* Jordan Schiller
Emma Balaban Mia Harrison Alyssa Schubert
Billy Balaban Isabella Harshman Noelani Seybert
Spencer Ballas Sarah Hartner Abbey Siffrinn
Natalie Barkley Annika Hartzo* Brooke Smarick
Colleen Boatright Grace Heuer Elana Smiley
Erin Bollinger* Austin Hewitt Zachary Smith
Kaylin Brucker Abigail Homick Alaina Smith*
Savannah Burdell Emily Hunn Sonia Snider
Robby Burns Triniti Joy Ethan Sommers*
Madison Buscemi* Cody Kelly Jordan Spagnolli
Evelyn Cao Olivia Knoechel* Prescott Stauffer
Jacob Capets* Mary Kochis Elly Stodolsky
Julie Chenot Harish Kodavali Rachel Sullivan
Zachary Coates Allison Krygowski Sarah Todaro
Gabriella Conley Alyssa Laukus Riley Turnbull
Aidan Conroy Aria Lauritzen* Jenna Uziel
Braden Crow* Trina Lord Sophie von Oldenburg
Ashley Cumpston Keeley MacKenzie Carina Walls
Bryce Cunningham Elizabeth Mahoney* Emilie Watson
Shannon Dandar* Georgia Manning Lily Wedge*
Nicholas DiPerna* Tori Marflak* Emma Westover
Autumn Doyle Nick Markovina Savannah Widmaier
Katie Elliott Jordan Napierkowski Josh Yanan*
David Emro* Alex Nicholson Reanna Yurko
Julie Fekete Addison Patrick Elizabeth Zapanta*
Nathan Fell Sydney Pesarsick* Zachary Zezza
Lane Fischer Zachary Potthoff Steven Zheng

*denotes Hillcrest Philharmonic

The Hillcrest Philharmonic Orchestra is an auditioned ensemble

comprised of students in the Hillcrest Orchestra program.
Students rehearse in the morning before school
preparing additional musical repertoire.
In 2012, the HPO earned a superior rating
at the PMEA Adjudication Festival held at Norwin High School.
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Upcoming Events
Thursday, December 18 at 7:00 pm
H.S. Jazz & Orchestra Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Friday, January 16 at 7 pm
Norwin’s Got Talent
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Wednesday, January 28 at 7 pm
Wind Ensemble Exchange Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Thursday, January 29 at 7 pm
Winter High School Band Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Norwin Music on the web
Norwin Music Department http://bit.ly/NorwinMusicDept
Hillcrest Int. School norwininstrumentalmusic.wordpress.com
Middle School
http://bit.ly/NorwinMSBand
Norwin Band Aides
http://norwinband.net/nba.
Thursday, March 19 thru
Sunday, March 22
Spring Musical: Legally Blonde
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Tuesday, April 14 at 7 pm
Percussion Ensemble Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
Thursday, April 22 at 7 pm
Combined Band Concert
High School & Middle School
Wednesday, April 28 at 7 pm
Norwin H.S. Orchestra Concert
Norwin Center for the
Performing Arts (H.S. Auditorium)
High School
norwinband.net
http://bit.ly/NorwinHSBand
twitter.com/NorwinBand
instagram.com/NorwinBand