by Davy James, Staff Writer
Row upon row of students assembled on a riser under the watchful eyes of music teachers from throughout the district, singing song verses and then singing them again, until the desired melody was achieved.
The collection of the best elementary student singers in the district gathered at Brunswick Acres on Friday afternoon in preparation of the upcoming District Music Festival, which will take place on Wednesday.
”The kids we have here are the best of the best from throughout the district,” said District Music Supervisor John Ketterer. “They’re very well tested and the teachers put them through a selection process that challenges the kids.”
The choral presentation will feature select fifth-graders from each elementary school, the Crossroads North and South Vocal Ensemble and the South Brunswick High School Concert Choir. Each ensemble will perform two pieces and the festival will end with all of the musicians performing one selection together.
”I don’t know who’s more excited, the teachers or the kids,” Mr. Ketterer said. “The teachers get almost as crazy as the kids do when they all get to work together.”
The selection process allows teachers to identify the best singers by judging which students sing the right notes up to more advanced criteria such as breathing techniques. The process give participants just a few months to come together and prepare.
”Anytime you have a small amount of time to practice as a group it takes an adjustment period for everybody,” said Brunswick Acres music teacher Jennifer Barr. “We have to show them how their voices fit and blend together to make an ensemble.”
Ms. Barr said the festival gives younger students a chance to see the road ahead of them while developing friendships with students from other schools who will walk the same road.
”The students get to be surrounded by other children with the same ability level and make connections with high school and middle school kids,” she said. “They get to hear mature voices and think ‘that will be me in a few years.’ They see the journey ahead of them and it makes an impact. They look forward to hearing and singing with the older kids.”
Students in the ensemble said that bringing each of their talents together was a challenge.
”The hardest part is trying to mix all the voices and getting all the voices to blend in together,” said Courtney Rone, a fifth-grader at Greenbrook.
Other students said the work is hard, but is worth it when the moment comes to perform.
”It’s a lot of fun but the work is hard,” said Omkar Katta, a fifth-grader at Brunswick Acres. “My favorite part is when we all sing and rejoice. That moment is so happy.”
Getting to perform in front of a large audience will be the main attraction for many of the students in the ensemble.
”The sound that all the voices produce is so cool,” said Sam Resnick, a fifth-grader at Cambridge. “I like seeing how the audience feels and looks when they hear the music and sound.”
Mr. Ketterer said the event would benefit those in attendance as much as the students involved.
”There will be an evening of joy put together by teachers who’re so excited to present it,” he said. “It’s like a gift to the community.”
The festival will take place in the high school auditorium (750 Ridge Road) beginning at 7 p.m.

