We are having an open house for interested parents. Come join us on Wednesday, March 30 at 9 am.

Matthew White won the Spelling Bee competition and will advance to the national competition representing CPS and Newberry!

Newberry Academy band students had the opportunity to participate in the Music Education Services company-wide Solo and Ensemble Festival on March 5th at St. Philip Lutheran School. Participants performed an accompanied solo for a judge who graded them on the following technical criteria: intonation, tone quality, style, dynamics, accuracy, fluency, scales, and presentation. Below is a list of the students who performed, instrument played, and how they placed.

Thomas West – Saxophone – Gold medal

Nicholas Walsh – Trombone – Gold medal

Zanahn King – Clarinet – Silver medal

Maya Thomas – Clarinet – Gold medal

Miles Kenny – Snare drum – Gold medal

Miles Kenny – Bells – Gold medal

Madeline Ben-Yoseph – Flute – Gold medal

Sarah Ben-Yoseph – Flute – Gold medal

Darian Rivers – Saxophone – Gold medal

Kola Elegbede – Saxophone – Gold medal

Hannah Kinsella – Clarinet – Bronze medal

Marley Rosario – Saxophone – Gold medal

Leni Redmond – Clarinet – Gold medal

Vanessa Aceves – Snare drum – Gold medal

Vanessa Aceves – Bells – Gold medal

Esmerelda Ayvar-Perez – Saxophone – Gold medal

Robert Booczko – Saxophone – Gold medal

Josue Espinoza – Saxophone – Gold medal

Cole Matsuda – Clarinet – Gold medal

Jean Wilk – Clarinet – Gold medal

Charlie Wilk – Saxophone – Silver medal

Participation in the solo festival was entirely optional. Learning their solos, attending the extra rehearsals, and performing in front of a judge and audience in itself was going above and beyond the requirements of being in band class. I commend all students on their talent, newly acquired skills, and the bravery involved in these accomplishments!

–Mr Justin Past, Director of Bands