Pocantico Hills CSD

Weekends are for fun, errand running and relaxing. Most of the time. However, for a select group of students at Pocantico Hills, the weekend of March 8-9 was one for performing.

Several students participated in the 2025 Westchester County School Music Association’s All-County Music Festival. The Elementary and Intermediate Band performed on Saturday, March 8. And the Elementary and Intermediate Choirs the following day. All performances took place at New Rochelle High School.

“It was cool,” Collette B., who performed in the Elementary All-County Chorus, said.

Fellow choir participant, Sonja C. agreed, saying she thought the performance was fun, but she really enjoyed the rehearsals.
The two were part of a group of elementary singers from schools throughout the county. Together they sang several numbers, including: “Laudamus Te,” “Al Shlosha D’Varim,” “When I Close My Eyes,” “Sing to Me, and “Walk in Jerusalem.”

“Bigger is better,” Sonja said, noting that the larger choir made for a better sounding performance.

“Everything always sounds better,” agreed Collette. “Everyone is better and more prepared.”

Participants are selected to be a part of the experience each year.

Milana G. said she enjoys singing and agreed singing in a larger choir makes a difference.

“You hear every part,” she said. “Everyone sounds in tune, like its one person singing.”

She was part of the Intermediate All-County Chorus.

Fellow chorus member Shreya J. said it make her nervous, but as anyone who does not know their part can be asked to leave.

Playing in the Elementary All-County Band were Kyle J. (clarinet) and Grace I. (Timpani).

“It’s a bit more stressful, but worth it in the end,” Grace said, adding that her favorite song they performed was “Kamehameha.”

“The stakes are higher as you are playing and singing with the best in Westchester,” Band Director Michael Murphy agreed.

“As a small school, it’s always good to have an opportunity to perform with other teachers and work with new people,” Music Teacher Sheila DePaola said.

Mr. Murphy said too for band participants they work with a full compliment of instruments and they can more easily hear all the parts equally.

Ms. DePaola said the experience will be a wonderful memory for students. While they may not remember every detail, they will recall the experience.

“You’ll always remember different quotes musicians use to motivate,” she said.

Peter S. performed in the elementary band last year, and this year he was part of the Intermediate All-County Chorus.

“It definitely helped me prepare and know what I had to do with my music,” he said of coming back again this year.

He enjoyed playing the Gershwin medley and said he was glad to have the experience of bonding with fellow performers and “singing good pieces.”