Music in Our Schools month kicked off at Lehighton concert

Lehighton music students kicked off "Music in Our Schools" month with a district wide concert.

The concert was held Tuesday in the high school auditorium.

The concert featured performing ensembles from the middle school and high school.

"Music In Our Schools Month" is a celebration throughout the United States sponsored by the Music Educators National Conference. March has been designated as a time to call attention to the importance of music in schools and its importance as an integrated core subject area for students.

Performing were the Middle School Jazz Ensemble, 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band, High School Concert Choir and the High School Concert Band.

The High School Concert Choir, directed by David Perkins, led the evening's program with "Everybody Singin' One Song," followed by "I Hear America Singing," "Tres Cantos Nativos Dos Indios Krao," "Sing Me To Heaven," and concluded with "Oye." Soloist was Samantha Cerimele. Accompanist was Michael Warkala/

The Middle School Jazz Ensemble, directed by Thomas Weidner, performed "Dream," "Midnight," and "Wooly Bully." Soloist were Corey German, trombone; and Devin Frantz, tenor sax.

The 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band, under the direction of Beth Perkins, performed two selections, "Mystic Garden" and "Gravitas."

The concert concluded with the High School Concert Band, directed by Bryan Buffington. Their selections were, "Into the Storm," and "By the Rivers of Babylon."

Proceeds benefitted the Music Department's MIOSM fund and a middle school student suffering from a brain tumor.

During intermission, music directors noted from the podium that music is not an extra-curricular activity, but is a core discipline that benefits the students and helps them improve test scores.