P.S. 69 students rock out at annual Spring Concert

Students of the Vincent D. Grippo School, P.S 69, celebrated the musical skills they have acquired throughout the school year in their annual Spring Concert on Wednesday, June 8. The elementary school had two showings, one at 9 a.m. and one at 7 p.m. for the students’ peers and families.

The concert displayed musical talent and collaboration from students in first grade all the way to fifth. This included first to fifth grade violinists, directed by strings director, Joanna Mattrey, and fourth and fifth grade chorus directed by chorus director, Mary Fasano. Fourth and fifth grade band and the Little Kids Rock group, which included fourth and fifth grade guitarists and vocalists, also performed and were conducted by band director, Betty Sobolow.

The students performed a spectrum of genres, from classical pieces like Brahms “Hungarian Dance No. 5” played on the violin to fun, pop music like Adele’s “Hello” sung and performed on guitar.

As demonstrated by the concert, P.S. 69 offers various music programs to its students including violin instruction with help from the Noel Pointer Foundation.

“Our spring concert is a culminating celebration of all the programs we have here, and it gives the chance for our boys and girls to show what they’ve learned and be supported by their peers and school community,” said P.S 69 Principal, Jaynemarie Capetanakis.

The school’s student body is comprised of 58 percent English language learners, and the programs help these students advance in the English language, in addition to encouraging a love of music.

“There’s nothing that helps bridge the gap more than learning music, and building the students’ fluency through song and helping to make those connections so that they can speak out in their new language,” stated Capetanakis.