Academics Links
Music Contact Info
1738 Helderberg Trail
Berne, NY 12023
Phone: (518) 872-1293
Dana Higgins, Elementary Teacher
Jared Slingerland, Secondary Teacher
Lindsay Zayachek, Elementary Teacher
Elementary
- DRUM & 4th, 5th, 6th Grade Chorus
- Jazz Band & 5th Grade Band & 6th Grade Band
Secondary
- Drum Group
- Jazz Band
- High School Chamber Singers
- High School Band
- High School Chorus
- Marching Band
- Middle School Select Chorus & Musical
- Music Theory
Going the Extra Mile
Each year, we feature students, faculty, and staff to highlight their commitment to being better every day. Today, we focus on a group of students who are lending their musical talent to the music department and its various performances and productions. This special group of musicians is expanding their creative horizons and using their personal time to learn new music and assist in musical productions while keeping their passion for music moving forward. They are also adding their creative footprint to our district’s music program for our listening pleasure.
Each student listed below is currently involved in four or more ensembles for the BKW Music Department, plus extras performing opportunities to represent BKW. Did we mention they are utilizing their own time (flex time, study halls, before and after school) to learn challenging music from different ensembles to help support the music department while enhancing their technique and skills?
“They are intrinsically motivated, do not receive additional high school credit for their efforts, and go above and beyond everyday helping their section, their fellow student musicians, and the BKW music department,” said BKW Musical Director Mrs. Dana Higgins. “We are incredibly honored to share in their commitment to our district in keeping our music program moving forward in a positive direction.”
The participating students are sharing that thought process.
“When an opportunity arises, you need to take that and challenge yourself,” shared seventh-grader Jena Sisson.
We are proud to recognize their effort and would like to highlight their dedication to their musical craft. They are as follows:
- Lily Sisson (8th): Sr Band, Jr Band, Sr Chorus, Jr Chorus, All-County Band, NYSSMA Solo
- Paisley Bunt (7th): Sr Band, Jr Band, Sr Chorus, Jr Chorus, Wind Ensemble, All-County Band, NYSSMA Solo
- Kathryn Joslin (12th): Sr Band, Jr Band, Sr Chorus, Jazz Band, All-County Band, NYSSMA Solo
- Karleigh Kehrer (8th): Sr Band, Jr Band, Sr Chorus, Jr Chorus, Jazz Band, All-County Band, NYSSMA Solo
- Jena Sisson (7th): Sr Band, Jr Band, Sr Chorus, Jr Chorus, All-County Band, NYSSMA Solo
Letters to the Editor
Music Enables Me to Express my Emotions
“Music is important to me because it allows me to have a separate goal, outside of academics and athletics, to push myself to a higher level. This allows me the opportunity to place myself in challenging situations in order to better myself.
I believe that music has a place within BKW and all schools because it provides an opportunity for all students, if they choose, to have a different outlet and goal to push themselves towards. This program allows for the student that may struggle in the classroom to have a reason to come to school everyday.”
Benjamin West
BKW freshman
Read Benjamin’s full Letter to the Editor for The Altamont Enterprise Opinion column.
Band Taught Me to Work Better in a Group
“Band has impacted me by helping me learn to work better in a group and helping me learn all kinds of new skills, as well as become more confident in front of other people and big crowds.
I think it is very important for BKW to continue to offer this opportunity because it helps people learn something new and improve their life skills. I hope this information shows how much our music program means to me, as a student at BKW.”
William West
BKW Sixth-Grader
Read William’s full Letter to the Editor for The Altamont Enterprise Opinion column.