The FRES Music Program Springs into Action!

The FRES music department has been busy doing amazing things for the spring semester.  On Saturday, February 9th, 2019 Forestville sent a delegation of four students to participate in the annual Elementary All-County Honors Chorus event held at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, NC. The four students that were chosen have consistently demonstrated excellence in the area of vocal performance. Students spent time preparing songs composed by Dr.Rollo Dillworth, Mary Lynn Lightfoot, Greg Gilpin, and other prolific composers.  Some of the songs included on the program were "Pie Jesu", "Shine on Me", and "Why We Sing".  Students that participated in the event had the opportunity to work with Mr. Danny Yancey, a GRAMMY-nominated music educator.  Below you can see pictures from the dress rehearsal and concert.

On Thursday, February 21st, Forestville Road hosted a hip-hop and jazz band called "The Beast" from Durham, North Carolina.  They talked to the students about the history of African American music.  Students learned about improvisation, jazz, hip hop, spirituals, and other topics related to African American music. Below you can see a picture of "The Beast" performing for the students of Forestville. This performance was sponsored by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and the FRES PTA.  We would like to thank these organizations for supporting the arts in schools!

On Tuesday, February 26th, 2019 the 4th graders of Forestville attended a North Carolina Symphony field trip.  Students heard works composed by Haydn, Dvorak, Higdon, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Strauss.  Students also had the opportunity to perform "Ode to Joy" in English and German.  Below you can see students standing outside of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts where the event took place.

On Thursday, February 28th, 2019 the FRES percussion ensemble performed an arrangement of "Uptown Funk" by Tom Anderson at the annual Stars in the East talent show held at East Wake High School in Wendell, North Carolina. Students had fun performing for the community at the event!  Below is a picture of the group hanging out in the green room  before the show.  We are looking forward to performing at the show again in 2020!