Disappointed by Shah's criticisms of concert

To the editor: In response to Ms. Radhika Shah’s recent letter to the editor regarding the music department at Warwick Valley High School, I have to say that I am disappointed by the criticism leveled at the faculty with regards to a recent concert and an upcoming musical production. Anyone who attended the recent Pops Concert featuring guest artist, pianist, and composer Richard Kimball, would agree that it was a magnificent evening that showcased not only Mr. Kimball, but the many talented student-musicians in the Warwick school system. Ms. Shah has criticized the band director for playing a duet with Mr. Kimball during the concert. I would argue that instead of taking anything away from the students and their performance, it exposed them to a level of musicianship and talent usually only seen in professional settings. Here were two extraordinarily talented, professional musicians playing together on their own high school stage - illustrating that practice and hard work is necessary at all levels, not just for a student’s weekly practice chart. This level of performance is something that many students aspire to. What better way to have that illustrated than by one’s teacher. The musicians in every ensemble, instrumental and vocal, who performed that evening, worked incredibly hard, on difficult music, to bring to Warwick, free of charge, a concert of professional caliber. The 1,000-seat auditorium was nearly filled. It was an event that brought out not only the parents of the students, but members of the community as well. The showcase piece of the evening, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” featured Mr. Kimball on piano, accompanied by the WVHS Wind Ensemble. The difficult clarinet part was played by the principal clarinetist, a student; the trumpet solos were played by the principal trumpet player, a student; the trombone solo was performed by the principal trombonist, a student; another “guest” invited to perform with the Wind Ensemble was a French Horn player, a middle school student. Other faculty members and parent volunteers did take part in this performance. None of them took anything away from the student-musicians; indeed, they enhanced the student’s performance through their guidance and willingness to participate with a student ensemble. Regarding the pit orchestra of the upcoming musical that will have adults as well as students playing, Ms. Shah is correct that this production is about the students. However, it is not about the students playing in the pit orchestra, it is about the students performing on stage. There is a reason pit orchestra performers wear black and sit in the dark: their role is that of enhancing the performance of the actors and singers on stage. High school students are invited to play in the middle school musical, it is not their right. Music is a team effort, the musician in the third section is no less important than the first chair. Like a sports team, everyone needs to do their part; it’s not only about the star player. How sad that the student, upon finding out she would not have the principal part and solos, declined to play at all. She has lost out on a musical experience that not every student is offered. Life isn’t always about being first, sometimes it’s about taking part. I would like to congratulate Mr. Chris Persad, Ms. Keely Gould, Mrs. Lois Heller, the Warwick Valley High School Band, Orchestra and Choral students, and Mr. Richard Kimball, on their fine performance at the Pops Concert. They brought to this community a wonderful musical experience that should be embraced and celebrated. Bravo. Kathryn Bisaro Warwick