2011-2012 Officers 2011-2012 Officers - River Dell Regional School ...

Issue No. 1 June 2012
A Letter from the Editor
Hello!
My name is Allison Friedlander and I have had the pleasure of serving as Historian of the
Tri-M Chapter 4876 of River Dell for the 2011-2012 school year. This is the pilot issue of
what we hope will be a new staple of River Dell’s music department. This Newsletter will
be the place to learn all about what our busy department is up to and what our music students
are doing outside of the classroom. I cannot fully express how fortunate I feel to
have been a part of Tri-M these past three years. I think I speak for all the officers this year
when I say that we are so proud of what our music students have accomplished this year
and that we will miss our Tri-M family next year and I’m sure they will continue to do
amazing things in the future.
Thank you for your continued support of the arts,
Allison Friedlander, Historian 2011-2012
2011-2012 Officers
Gillian Lacey—President
Miriam Edelstein—Vice President
Brandon Jaico—Secretary
Helen Chung—Treasurer
Allison Friedlander—Historian
2011-2012 Officers
Demetria Sardo—President
Jane Spadaccini—Vice President
Alissa Settembrino—Secretary
Sharon Galperin—Treasurer
Vicki Yoobin Noh—Historian

Tri-M Newsletter
Page 2 June 2012
Two Sisters Reflect on a Truly Amazing Experience
This spring, twenty
members of the Select
Choir had the
remarkable
opportunity
to work and
perform with the
famous
composers
Eric Whitacre and
Morten
Lauridsen.
These brilliant composers
took some time during rehearsals to answer
personal questions about their lives and careers in
music. I was shocked to find that some of their
most beautiful or complex works were born out of
silly ideas or a single chord. Eric Whitacre amused
us by explaining that “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas” was
actually inspired by his daily ritual of eating animal
crackers for breakfast. “The City and the Sea” was
written while Eric was experimenting hitting only
the white keys on the piano as if he were wearing
oven mitts. Morten Lauridsen wrote “Dirait-on” using
one simple chord to meet a last minute deadline
for which he needed a piece. It was inspiring to
learn that these two composers didn’t know they
had any interest in composing until they were in
college. One of the many things that I took away
from this experience is that the idea for a composition
cannot be forced. It must be stumbled upon,
even if it is in the most absurd way, or about the
most absurd things. Anyone who disagrees can inquire
Eric Whitacre on how his future piece about
zombies is coming along.
Demetria Sardo
During the last weekend of March, I had the privilege
of participating in the DCINY performance at
Carnegie Hall. The most incredible part of my experience
was working in the company of choirs from
across the country and even from other continents.
On the day of our first practice, we all entered the
rehearsal hall as strangers, bustling to find our
seats, flooding the room with different dialects, and
divided by state boarders. Once Mr. Whitacre entered
the room and introductions were out of the
way, he asked us to perform the song “Sleep” so
suddenly it seemed impromptu. Within the first few
measures I understood that music was acting as a
universal language. Although I was surrounded by
hundreds of people I’d never met, I was overwhelmed
with the realization of how many barriers
a melody could break. We were no longer from different
states or different countries; no longer spoke
different language—that seemed insignificant. We
instead became one united body, synchronized
completely under the gentle hand of our conductor.
I’d never been in a room with so many people who
shared the same passion as me and it was so beautiful.
Music, ensembles especially, is so different from
any other art form, which are usually solo. Choral
ensembles are particularly special to me because of
the breathtaking abilities showcased during performances
and the phenomenon of the human voice.
I’ve been involved in choral ensembles since grade
school, but I still marvel at a group’s ability to communicate
with each other through the music they
create.
Cassandra Sardo

Issue No. 1 Tri-M Newsletter
Page 3
The Chapter’s First President
The River Dell Regional High School Chapter of the
Tri-M Music Honor Society began in the spring of
2006 when Lisa Spadaccini became the Chapter’s
first President. Lisa is an avid music lover and was
in the River Dell Select Choir and Chorus for four
years. I had the privilege to interview Ms. Spadaccini
to ask her about our Chapter’s origins.
How did River Dell’s Tri-M Chapter begin?
I was always very involved with both the choir and graduate school. Ms. Spadaccini is very happy that
the band while at River Dell, and aware that there so many students today have a passion for music
were honors organizations for math and various and have made the organization strong.
other subjects but not one for music. After being a
member of Bergen County choir one year I noticed a
flower sale by a Tri-M Chapter and learned that a
Do you have any advice to give the society?
Just continue to pursue what you're passionate
about, the honor society’s formation definitely met
with a few bumps in the road but as with anything
in life, the only way to achieve your goals is to not
give up and push for what you want. Don't back
down at the first sign of opposition for the rewards
are greater when you persevere.
Lisa Spadaccini continues to love music as she completed
her undergraduate studies and is presently in
Jane Spadaccini
From River Dell to Ridgewood
music honor society existed. I knew I had to ask Ms.
Smith to start a chapter because the students at RD
deserved it. It is important to have an outlet for
those passionate about music to come together and
share their ideas in an honors capacity.
After coming to see the classical recital last spring,
please give your thoughts on how it has grown?
It was incredible to come back and see something
that I worked so hard to bring to fruition so vibrant
and growing. There were four times as many members
as there were when we first started, and to see
such a passion for music really made me feel like all
of the work we went through to start the organization
was worth it.
Tri-M Members Alissa Settembrino and Louis
Jannone were recommended by Lisa Smith and
accepted to perform with the Ridgewood Concert
Band during the band’s Side By Side Concert
. This band is comprised of professional
musicians from around Bergen County. Alissa
played the alto saxophone and Louis played the
trombone. The songs in the concert will be performed
by some of the brightest high school
musicians in the area, along with the Ridgewood
Concert Band members themselves. The
concert was on May 11 at the Westside Presbyterian
Church in Ridgewood, NJ.
Alissa Settembrino

Page 4
Tri-M Newsletter June 2012
A Song of Love
For the past four
years, River Dell’s
Chapter of the Tri-
M Music Honor
Society has been
fundraising to participate
in the
charity “Songs of
Love.” Upon reaching
their goal this
year, members of
Tri-M were excited to welcome John Beltzer to the
chorus room to record vocals for the song he
wrote for Paul Kennedy, a River Dell Music student
who is ailing and has had to miss a lot of
school this year because of it. His sister, Nora
Kennedy introduced the song on the CD and it
was mixed on site. Tri-M officers Gillian Lacey,
President, and Miriam Edelstein, Vice President
(see left) accepted the CD for the society. The other
officers, Brandon Jaico, Secretary, and Helen
Chung, Treasurer, also participated in the recording
and Allison Friedlander, Historian, photographed
the event. Paul Kennedy received the CD
and a T-Shirt from “Songs of Love.” Tri-M Member
Elissa Hickey reflected, “It was a really cool
experience, especially because we knew the person
we were recording the song for.”
Allison Friedlander
The Whitacre Experience
On April 1 st , 2012, River Dell Select Choir members
had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie
Hall with the choral composer, lecturer, and conductor,
Eric Whitacre. The twenty students involved
sang nine of Whitacre’s most famous
pieces in addition to a piece by the legendary,
Morten Lauridsen, under Mr. Whitacre’s direction.
The choir itself was comprised of over 300
singers from all over the globe, including Switzerland,
Mississippi, and San Francisco. In addition
to the performance, the students also attended
two rehearsals in preparation for the concert,
led by Mr. Whitacre. The two hour rehearsals
were hard work, but a lot of fun and during
the second rehearsal, Tri-M’s own Brandon Jaico
was selected as the Bass Soloist for Mr. Whitacre’s
piece, Cloudburst. On April 1 st , concert day,
the students arrived to Carnegie Hall in their
black gowns and tuxedos, ready to perform. They
sounded spectacular! All of those months of hard
work and dedication had paid off! Following the
performance, the singers were invited to a reception.
It involved food, dancing, and mingling
with the other performers. Eric Whitacre even
made a brief appearance to congratulate the
singers on their successful performance. They
returned home late at night with memories that
will certainly last a lifetime!
Sharon Galperin

Issue No.1
Tri-M Newsletter Page 5
Gilda’s Got Talent
Practicing for the Recital
Located nearby in Hackensack, New Jersey, the
charity organization, Gilda’s Club ran its first talent
show. The talent show was open to anyone and contestants
consisted of singers, dancers, and instrumentalists
between the ages of 13-18 from all over
Bergen County. Although there was a prize of $300
for the first place winner, for many, if not all of the
contestants it was not about winning, but rather
sharing their talents with others while being a part
of the fundraiser for the community. The talent
show took place on April 19 th at 6:30. The show’s 10
acts lasted about two hours and was a great success.
Some of the performers included Latino’s En Control,
River Dell’s own John Kelly on guitar, and Suspension
Convention and Wayward Sons, a male vocal
group which ultimately won first place. Although
there was only one first place winner, all of
the contestants did an outstanding job and should
all be very proud of themselves. I hope that this was
the first and of many talent shows they run, it was
great time and there was a great turn out for contestants,
audience, and the organization.
John Kelly
From a small apartment in River Edge, NJ, the
euphonious melodies of the song “Gabriel’s Oboe”
are encompassing the neighborhood, delighting
senior citizens. A small quintet, composed of 2
violins, 1 piano, 1 cello, and 1 clarinet, are practicing
for Tri-M’s second annual Classical Recital on
June 8th. Joon Seo plays first violin, Ed Yoon
plays second violin, Charlie Lee plays the clarinet,
Hannah Chung is their cellist, Helen Chung accompanies
on the piano. “Although it is quite a
hard piece,” admits Joon Seo, “we have been making
progress through teamwork.”
Senior Citizens living in the adjoining apartments
aren’t complaining about the incessant
practicing, on the contrary, they’ve sent their
compliments. Mary Palmer, a neighbor, thanked
the group for such beautiful music.
“I’m so proud that we could actually make
someone’s day through our music,” expresses Ed
Yoon. Tri-M is proud of you guys too.
Charlie Lee

June 2012
Tri-M Newsletter Page 6
Congratulations!
The following students auditioned for and were accepted into the following groups:
Bergen County Chorus:
Miriam Edelstein
Tiffany Haroutunian
Region I Chorus:
Miriam Edelstein
Brandon Jaico
NJ All State Chorus:
Sarah Jung
Adam Kohane
Bergen County Band:
Andrew Yim
Sam Park
Brandon Jaico
Sarah Jung
Adam Kohane
Sarah Jung
Bomee Kim
Adam Kohane
Sarah Korath
David Lo
Jae Noh
NJ All State Band:
Andrew Yim
Gillian Lacey
Maria Mo
Cassandra Sardo
Maria Mo
Demetria Sardo Sarah Korath, Adam Kohane,
Region I Band:
DongJun Park
Duncan Sy Demetria Sardo, and Duncan
Andrew Yim
Demetria Sardo
Sy are all eligible candidates
Jane Spadaccini
Sam Park
for participation in the All
Senior Officers Gillian Lacey (President) and Brandon Jaico (Secretary)
received the Madame Paunova Small Ensemble Governors Award for
their performance of “La ci darem la mano,” from the opera Don Giovanni
Eastern Chorus. It is a great
honor and we wish them the
best of luck!
by Mozart at the All State New Jersey Opera
Festival.
Thank You, Goodbye, and Good Luck to our Seniors!
Bryan Brindley—George Washington University
Taylor Carden—Steven’s Institute of Technology
Helen Chung—Temple University
Bridget Connolly—Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Miriam Edelstein—University of Rhode Island
Allison Friedlander—Bucknell University
Elissa Hickey—Muhlenberg College
Chaerhyn Hong—Trinity College
Bridget Irvine—Harvard University
Gillian Lacey—Ithaca College
Susan Lento—Muhlenberg College
Maria Mo—University of Rochester
Sarah Moon—Rutgers University
Kevin Ng—Ramapo College of New Jersey
Alexander Olenskyj—University of Illinois
at Urbana Champaign
Erin Smith—Seton Hall University
Meghan Thadani—New York University
Brandon Jaico—San Francisco Conservatory of Music
John Kelly—Hartt School of Music