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Spring
concert celebrates student’s talents
Special Education Music and Art Show bubbles with creative
energy and enthusiasm
 Reports
of an energy shortage in this nation can quickly be
dispelled by anyone that attended the HFM BOCES Special
Education Spring Concert and Art Show on May 27. The
enthusiasm of the performers on stage, and the creative
passion evidenced in the displayed artwork, made for an
exciting and enjoyable evening for everyone that attended
the annual rite of spring.
Nearly 200 children in grades K-12 from schools in the HFM
BOCES region created something for the event, either
exhibiting artwork or performing an upbeat song or lively
dance.
As the audience of more than 200 people found seats for the
music concert that began the evening. Michael Jacob, HFM
director of special education, welcomed everyone to the
special event.
“The students and their teachers have worked very hard
preparing for this night,” Mr. Jacob said. “I know they
appreciate your support.”
 Students
of music teacher Catherine Cole kicked off the evening with
a traditional rendition of “The Itsy-Bitsy Spider,” then
transitioned quickly into the jazzy “Go Baby Go.” A second
group of students took the stage for a rousing dance to “The
Peppermint Twist.”
Judging from the student-illustrated program, the emphasis
this evening was clearly on creative expression. Student
Raymond Santiago took the stage to perform a rap song he
composed himself.
 “This
is hard,” he whispered as an aside to Ms. Cole before
catching the energy from the supportive audience and finding
his rhythm.
Music teacher Amy Winnie next introduced students from Helen
Neet’s Deaf and Hearing Impaired classroom, who performed
several rhythm band songs using a chart of shapes and
symbols that indicated the instruments and number of beats
for the performers.
The students enjoyed themselves through every step of the
program, which was reflected in the appreciative support of
the audience. Parents vied for position to snap photos and
video over the heads of their neighbors, while others just
sat and smiled as their child or grandchild had their moment
on stage.
After the music portion, everyone was invited to appreciate
the displays of colorful drawings and paintings, graphic
designs, sculpture, and video produced by the students. Art
teachers Christa Germain and Autumn Eve Slawienski-Tracki
prepared the art show representing the collected work from
more than 30 classrooms.
Many young artists proudly showed family members their work,
while many were excited about the refreshments that rewarded
the performers and their guests.
“The entire HFM BOCES community greatly enjoyed the
opportunity to celebrate our students’ many special talents
and gifts,” Mr. Jacob said. “In this era of accountability
and reporting on schools, there’s no more special report of
the talent of our students than these performances tonight.”
Enjoy this selection of artwork from the show.
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