HFM BOCES news

Arts and music concert celebrates students’ talents

Special Education Music and Art Show bursts with creative energy and enthusiasm

Often the best things come in small packages – unbridled joy, world-class smiles, and unconditional love. All these were on display, along with colorful artwork and catchy melodies – at the HFM BOCES Special Education Spring Concert and Art Show on Wednesday, May 25.

HFM Director of Special Education Michael Jacob welcomed nearly 200 teachers, friends and family members to the special celebration of the many musical and artistic talents and gifts possessed by the students of HFM BOCES special education programs.

“The students and their teachers have worked very hard preparing for this night,” Mr. Jacob said. “I know they appreciate your support,” Mr. Jacob told the audience.

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. Judging from the student-illustrated program, the emphasis this evening was clearly on creative expression.

Students of music teacher Catherine Cole kicked off the evening with a percussion-accompanied rendition of “The Itsy-Bitsy Spider,” before a xylophone ensemble performed “Deta, Deta” and “Old Abraham Brown.” The students concluded their program with “New River Train,” a folk song from the 1920s.

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 took time to appreciate the displays of colorful drawings and paintings, graphic designs, sculpture, and stagecraft produced by the students. Art teachers Christa Germain and Autumn Eve Slawienski-Tracki prepared the art show representing the collected work from more than 25 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 name of every child participating in the art and music show was included in the printed program.