Upcoming Events
Thursday, May 14 at 7 pm
Jazz Band Concert
Featuring the Norwin MS Jazz Band
and the Norwin HS Jazz Band
Sunday, May 17 from 11 am to 3 pm
Norwin Band Aides Car Cruise
Norwin Middle School
Friday, May 22 at 7 pm
Commencement
High School Stadium (weather
permitting) OR Auditorium
Monday, May 25 at 10 am
Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Irwin
Norwin Music on the web
Norwin Music Department
Middle School
http://bit.ly/NorwinMSBand
Norwin Band Aides
http://norwinband.net/nba.
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Monday, June 1–Friday, June 5
Norwin Summer Music Camp
Register by May 15
Open to incoming instrumental
music students in grades 5 (strings)
and 6 through 8
Saturday, June 8
Mattress Fundraiser
Norwin High School
Saturday, July 25
Norwin H.S. Band Car Wash
http://bit.ly/NorwinMusicDept
High School
norwinband.net
http://bit.ly/NorwinHSBand
twitter.com/NorwinBand
instagram.com/NorwinBand
From the Superintendent Hillcrest Orchestra

As Superintendent of Schools and on behalf of all in attendance this Abigail Abia John Giansante* Christopher Ragan
evening, I congratulate and commend all student musicians who are Brendan Ash Ryan Grabowski* Blaze Robinson
performing tonight. We recognize your extraordinary musical abilities, Ava Babbie Hunter Haines* Karina Rosario
acknowledging that you represent the best and the brightest of our Katie Baker* Lauren Hall Jordan Schiller
youth and also what is great about our country. Billy Balaban* Mia Harrison Alyssa Schubert
Emma Balaban Isabella Harshman Noelani Seybert
The Norwin School District is a national model for supporting and Spencer Ballas Sarah Hartner Abbey Siffrinn
advancing music education and the performing arts. It is an allegiance Natalie Barkley Annika Hartzo* Elana Smiley
based on tradition and community pride and a commitment to Colleen Boatright Grace Heuer Alaina Smith*
academic excellence, music education, and the performing arts. Erin Bollinger* Austin Hewitt Zachary Smith
Kaylin Brucker Abigail Homick Sonia Snider
Research provided by the National Association for Music Education Savannah Burdell Emily Hunn Ethan Sommers*
shows that students in high-quality school music programs score higher Robby Burns Triniti Joy Jordan Spagnolli
on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient Madison Buscemi* Cody Kelly Prescott Stauffer
music education programs, regardless of the socioeconomic level of Evelyn Cao Olivia Knoechel* Elly Stodolsky
the school or school district. Therefore, I encourage all in attendance Jacob Capets* Mary Kochis Rachel Sullivan
to continue as advocates of music education and the arts by taking a Julie Chenot Harish Kodavali Sarah Todaro
greater leadership role in your schools and communities to strengthen Zachary Coates Allison Krygowski Riley Turnbull
and preserve K-12 music and arts programs. Gabriella Conley Alyssa Laukus Jenna Uziel
Aidan Conroy Aria Lauritzen* Sophie von
We thank our hosts today, the principals and music teachers, as well as Braden Crow* Trina Lord Oldenburg
the numerous Norwin parent and community volunteers who provide Ashley Cumpston Keeley MacKenzie Carina Walls
never-ending support to our developing musicians. They all deserve Shannon Dandar* Elizabeth Mahoney* Emilie Watson
our profound gratitude. Nicholas DiPerna* Georgia Manning Lily Wedge*
Autumn Doyle Tori Marflak* Emma Westover
Best wishes for an enjoyable evening, and please continue to keep Katie Elliott Nick Markovina Savannah Widmaier
music and the performing arts in a prominent place in your lives, both David Emro* Jordan Napierkowski Josh Yanan*
now and in the future! Julie Fekete Alex Nicholson Reanna Yurko
Nathan Fell Addison Patrick Elizabeth Zapanta*
Lane Fischer Sydney Pesarsick* Zachary Zezza
Board of Education and Administration Micah Gaydos Zachary Potthoff Steven Zheng
William H. Kerr, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

*# * denotes members of Hillcrest Philharmonic

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Tonight’s Selections From the Hillcrest Principals

Hillcrest Orchestra
Masters in This Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Traditional/arr. Robert Frost
Credo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Halferty
Prelude and Fugue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Balmages
Enchanted Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sean O’Loughin
Song of Peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Baker Monday
Sword Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Bob Phillips
Welcome to the 2015 Spring Elementary Strings concert highlighting
the diligence of our students and their teachers in preparation for
this evening. As you know, it takes many hours of repeated practice
to attain the quality of performance you will enjoy tonight. Both Mrs.
Banasick and I appreciate our students’ dedication. As parents,
your commitment in reinforcing your child’s efforts to practice,
in addition to the financial pledge you’ve made, has increased
the likelihood that your child will continue in the arts.

As we approach our summer break, we’d like to pause and

show our great appreciation for our students and our music
department. Sit back and enjoy!

Norwin Summer Music Camp Brian O’Neil and Lisa Banasick

Hillcrest Intermediate School
It’s time for the 30th Annual Norwin Summer Music Camp, and we
would like your child to be part of this valuable and memorable
event. Be sure to register by May 15th for the camp, which runs from
Monday, June 1st through Friday, June 5th.
Band students entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade
9:00-11:30 am at Hillcrest The life benefits of music education
Strings students entering 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th grade
(or who have played for 1 year) Music is a place where you need to work at something for an
12:30-3:00 pm at Hillcrest extended period of time before you get good at it and have fun at it.
Where in our schools will kids learn how to sustain attention for a
Cost: $30 for one camp, or $50 for both; make checks payable to long period of time and achieve a higher level of excellence?
Hillcrest Intermediate Activity Fund.
Music. And nowhere else.
—Fran Kick

If you won’t be taking Regular exposure to music, and especially active participation in music,
your program book home as a keepsake, may stimulate development of many different areas of the brain.
In terms of brain development, musical performance is every bit
please recycle it in one of the bins as you leave. as important educationally as reading or writing.
Thank you! —Oliver Sacks

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About the directors
Michael Szymanski is a 1991 graduate of Norwin High School and The parents of all the students
received a B.S. in Music Education from Duquesne University in 1995. represented tonight for
supporting Fine Arts
Mr. Szymanski has been the Middle School Orchestra director since Education
being hired in 1996 and became the High School Orchestra director Our student musicians
Norwin School District
in 1998. In addition to their annual winter and spring concerts, the
Board of Education
H.S. Orchestra often performs with the Norwin Chorus, at invitational Thomas J. Sturm, President
festivals and for various community and scholastic events. In recent Robert J. Perkins, Vice President
Darlene J. Ciocca
years, the H.S. Orchestra has received numerous Superior ratings at Rebecca A. Gediminskas
PMEA Music Performance Assessments and other adjudicated festivals. Raymond Kocak
During his time at Norwin, Michael has also taught elementary band and Albert C. Lynn
Donald W. Rhodes, Jr.
orchestra, elementary and middle school general music, music theory, Dennis J. Rittenhouse
and guitar. He has been the Music Department Chairperson since Barbara A. Viola
Brianne E. Sturgeon, Student Rep.
2011. In his time away from school, Mr. Szymanski enjoys reading, hiking,
Alyssa M. Luptak, Student Rep.
camping and long road trips. He continues to be an active freelance William H. Kerr, Ed.D.,
performer on violin and viola. Michael and his wife Jennifer currently Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Tracy A. McNelly,
reside in North Huntingdon with their daughters, Betsy and Abby. Asst. Superintendent
Mrs. Natalie A. McCracken,
Asst. Superintendent
and the Norwin School
A graduate from the Norwin School District, Ian Morrison received District Administration
his B.S. in music education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Norwin Faculty and Staff
Timothy J. Kotch, Sr., Principal
and his M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Clarion University.
Joseph V. Shigle, III,
Mr. Morrison began teaching at Norwin in 2000 and his duties have Assistant Principal
included everything from Kindergarten Music to High School Band. Michael D. Choby,
Assistant Principal
Currently, Mr. Morrison teaches string instruments at Hahntown,
and the Norwin H.S.
Sheridan Terrace, Stewartsville, and Sunset Valley Elementary Schools Administration
and Hillcrest Intermediate School. Mr. Morrison resides in North Mary Marrone, Debbie Depp,
Mary Rorabaugh, and the
Huntingdon with his wife Kim and son Aiden. Norwin H.S. Staff
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Special thanks to…
Mr. Robert Suman, Principal
Mr. Troy Collier,
Assistant Principal
and the Norwin M.S.
Administration & Staff
Mr. Brian O’Neil, Principal
Mrs. Lisa Banasick,
Assistant Principal
and the Hillcrest Intermediate
Administration & Staff
Todd Leighty and the
Auditorium Production Team
Pat Geiger, Jim Dezorzi and the
Norwin Maintenance
and Custodial Staff
Ushers and Volunteers
The Norwin Music Department
Norwin Band Aides, especially
Tom Shrump, President
Dave Herchko,
1st Vice President
Anna Sever,
2nd Vice President
Julie Henry, Secretary
Christine Schmidt, Treasurer
Kathleen Heuer,
concert program design
Alaina Smith,
Hillcrest Orchestra President
Ethan Sommers ,
Hillcrest Orchestra
Secretary/Treasurer