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4 Jr.-Sr. High Band Students Perform At NYSSMA Solo Fest
June 1, 2024
WEST SENECA -- On Saturday, June 1st, the following Barker Jr.-Sr. High Band students performed a solo at the New York State Music Association Solo Festival:
- Julia Kalynycz performed a Level 6 (the highest level of difficulty) on Snare Drum and received a 95%.
- Michael Kalynycz performed a Level 6 Snare Drum solo and got a 96%.
- Riley Marciszewski performed his first Level 6 on Baritone and earned a 98% rating.
- Addisyn Weller performed a Level 5 Clarinet Solo and scored a 95%.
Congratulations to these amazing Barker students. Keep up the good work.
Jr. High Band Earns Superior Rating At Darien Lake
May 31, 2024
CORFU -- On Friday, May 31st, the Barker Junior High Band performed for judges to receive a rating at the Darien Lake Music Festival. The group earned a score of 97.2 out of 100 - a superior rating.
Congratulations to the Junior High Band and keep up the great work.
High School Concert Band Receives Gold MedalApril 17, 2024
SPENCERPORT -- On Wednesday, April 17th, the Barker High School Concert Band competed in front of two judges for the New York State Student Music Association Festival at Spencerport High School. The group received a Gold Medal. Congratulations to our High School Band.
High School Band and Chorus Takes Field Trip to ClevelandMarch 22 & 23, 2024
CLEVELAND -- The HS Band and Chorus students traveled to Cleveland on March 22 & 23. The group is pictured at the right in front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
4 Barker Students Perform At NCMEA Festival I
February 2 & 3, 2024
LOCKPORT -- Select students from the Barker High School Band performed in the Niagara County All-County Band and Jazz Band at Lockport High School. The performances were amazing and the Barker students really shined. The Barker students in the All-County Senior High Band were:
- Matthew Goodwin - Baritone
- Michael Kalynycz - Percussion
- Lillia Peace - Trumpet
In the All-County Junior High Jazz Band was Riley Marciszewski on Baritone Saxophone.
Congratulations to these amazing students and keep up the good work!
Jr.-Sr. High Students Participate In Solo Fest
December 9, 2023
LOCKPORT -- On Saturday, December 9th, select Barker Jr.-Sr. High Band students performed at solo fest and were adjudicated on their performance. Freshman, Riley Marciszewski performed two solos on two different instruments. He received an A+ on a jazz solo on baritone saxophone and on a classical French horn solo. Sophomore, Julia Kalynycz played a level 6 snare drum solo (A+). Level 6 is the most difficult level to play. Junior, Michael Kalynycz also played a level 6 snare drum solo and scored a perfect 100. Junior, Ryan Fisk played a level 5 xylophone (B+). Senior, Lillia Piece played her first level 6 trumpet solo (A-), and Matthew Goodwin, also a senior, played a level 6 baritone and received an A+ at 99%.
Three 8th grade Jr. High Band members also represented Barker: Karl Hill - level 3 baritone saxophone (A), Ivy Feuersanger - level 3 flute (A), and Addisyn Weller - level 4 clarinet (A+).
5 Barker Jr. HS Students Selected To Perform At Area All-State
November 3 & 4, 2023
AKRON -- On Friday, November 3rd, and Saturday, November 4th, the following Barker students rehearsed and performed amazing concerts with the Jr. HS Area All-State Band and Chorus:
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Jr. HS Area All-State Chorus: Olivia Voss, Riley Klopfer, and Jillian Fisk
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Jr. HS Area All-State Concert Band: Riley Marciszewski (Baritone Horn) and Adeline Atwater (Trumpet)
3 Barker Students Perform At SUNY Fredonia
November 17 & 18, 2023
FREDONIA -- Congratulations to Julia Kalynycz (Alto I) and Alexis Dauphinee (Alto II) for being selected for the Senior High Area-State Treble Choir, and to Matthew Goodwin for being selected to play Baritone Horn in the Senior High Area All-State Concert Band.
On Saturday, November 18th, these select ensembles performed in the Area All-State Concert at Fredonia State College.
Kenny Award Check Presented
June 12, 2023
BARKER -- On June 12th a Kenny Awards Presentation Assembly took place in the auditorium. Many students and staff were in attendance to share in the excitement as Kenny Awards officials presented the final segment of the award to the cast & crew. A check for $10,000 to be utilized for the Barker Musical Theater program was accepted at the assembly.
Jr. High Band Competes At Darien Lake
June 2, 2023
DARIEN -- On June 2nd, the Barker Junior High Concert Band competed at the Darien Lake Music Festival. The Band performed in front of a judge and scored a 97.4 out of 100 to win 1st place in Division AA. Their selection was a Level 3-4 Music Difficulty. Level 6 is the most challenging that a group can perform.
Community Band Receives Proclamation from New York State Senator Ortt
May 29, 2023
BARKER -- At the Town of Somerset Memorial Day Celebration, on May 29th, New York State Senator Robert Ortt presented current conductor Cindy Schmitt and The Barker Community Band a proclamation congratulating the band for 40 years of service. The band was founded in 1983 by BCS band director, Mr. Amrom Chodos because he wanted former students to continue performing music with a sense of camraderie. Senator Ortt’s proclamation, which was presented to current conductor, Cindy Schmitt, stated, “Now therefore be it resolved that I, ... do hereby recognize and extend our most sincere congratulations to The Barker Community Band upon the occasion of its 40th Anniversary, and for providing enjoyable music to our community.”
Cinderella Cast Wins Kenny Award
May 27, 2023
BUFFALO -- On May 27th at the Kenny Awards at Shea's Buffalo, the Barker Jr.-Sr. High School cast and crew of "Cinderella" won the highest award given - Outstanding Musical Production. Barker and 9 other schools (Amherst, Lockport, Iroquois, Maple Grove, Maryvale, Nardin Academy, North Tonawanda, Pine Valley, and West Seneca West) were adjudicated by 10 judges at their full-length productions during the course of the school year. Ms. Cheryl Johnson, Musical Director, stated, "The award is very prestigious in the WNY high school musical theater world. There are 46 of these types of programs across the entire USA. Carlisle Lipke, the Director of the Kenny Awards program, informed me that, 'Barker is the little engine that could.'"
In addition to the highest award given, Barker was also presented with Kenny Awards for Outstanding Dramatic Performance and Outstanding Costumes.
Aladdin Kids! Takes Magic Carpet Ride In Barker
April 28 & 29, 2023
BARKER -- On Friday, April 28th and Saturday, April 29th, over 60 cast and crew members (grades 3-6) from Pratt Elementary School, presented Aladdin Kids! on the stage of the Herbert F. Ludwig Fine Arts Auditorium.
Members of the cast and crew, under the direction of Mrs. Andrea Nobles and Mrs. Ashley Atwater are listed below:
- Ensemble: Lydia Atwater, Connor Baker, Kian Baker, Alexis Carges, Luca DuPont, Shawnalee Hill, MaKenzie Hill, Delaney Johnson, Tessa Seward, Cerenity Street
- Fiona Dalton: Avis (Magic Carpet)
- Kira Forehand: Agrabahn #6
- Alexis Pendleton: Bread Vendor
- Noralie Pierce: Agrabahn #1
- Zoey Quiett: Genie
- Dede Taliaferro: Jasmine
- Chace Atwater: Aladdin
- Bella Bowerman: Agrabahn #3
- Carson Costello: Sultan
- Lily Ecker: Guard #3
- Lilah Kelemen: Agrabahn #4
- Logan Kropp: Guard #2
- Bella Marvin: Guard #3
- Aiden Moen: Prince Hassim
- Skeleton: Ayla Riches
- Tierza Rose: Agrabahn #5
- Addie Snell: Skeleton #2
- Kasey Thering: Lamp Vendor
- Emilia Farina: Iago
- Elanor Gow: Cave Guardian
- Brayden Gregory: Jafar
- Dominic Holm: Prince Abdullah
- Maxwell Liuzzi: Guard #1
- Hannah Monaco: Fruit Vendor
- Hudson Prynn: Prince Malik
- 3rd Graders: Daniel Aguilera Semira Allee, Quincy Atwater, Blake Barr, Lilian Bradley, Will Burzynski, Elle Clark, Riley Clark, Teagan Costello, Alaiya D’Auria, Wesley Duchow, James Garcia, Kaleb Gargano, Charlie Hossbach, Leeora Hess, Cole Jackson, Liam Lanighan, Easton Lewis, Amelia Linkowski, Zoe Maier, Madlyn Murphy, Aleah Pendleton, Gianna Peritore, Owen Phillips, Makayla Puchlerz
- Stage Crew: Aidan Brandel, Marshal Demonico, Rory Harvey, Greyson Heitzenrater, Landon Wakefield
HS Concert Band Receives Gold Rating
April 26, 2023
SPENCERPORT -- On April 26th, the Barker High School Concert Band performed for two judges at NYSSMA (New York State Student Music Association). The Band received a Gold Rating for demonstrating an outstanding level of technical and artistic skill.
Cinderella Cast And Crew Recognized In 6 Categories
April 17, 2023
BUFFALO -- The BCS Jr.-Sr. High School production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella made its way to the Herbert F. Ludwig Fine Arts Auditorium stage from March 10-12. The cast and crew included over 30 current students, alumni, faculty, and community members.
- Faith Bowerman, Moira Dwyer, Jillian Fisk, Bella Gatto, Brionikah Mussell, Olivia Voss, Cheyann Walker, and Addisyn Weller were all part of the Ensemble
- Alexis Dauphinee: Marie
- Shelby Dauphinee: Ella
- Adler Detschner: Sebastian
- Connor Dwyer: Topher
- Gloria Haller: Gabrielle
- Sahara Holland: Madame
- Julia Kalynycz: Charlotte
- Melodi Murphy: Lord Pinkleton
- Lincoln Wedekind: Sam
- David Westcott: Jean Michel
- Stage Manager: Meghan Mallon
- Stage Crew: Aleena Parfinski, Charlotte Gow
- Spotlights: Summer Duchow, Evangeline Harris, Catherine Mallon, Fiona Wass
- Lightboard: Lucas Nestoros
- Sound: Xyon Weese
The Barker production of Cinderella was recognized at the Kenny Awards nomination ceremony on Monday, April 17th at Shea's Buffalo Theater. 10 finalist schools, including Barker, were selected from a larger pool of applicants in the fall. All 10 schools had their performances adjudicated by 10 judges.
The Kenny Awards are the WNY High School Musical Theater Awards. The final ceremony is Saturday, May 27th @ 6:00 pm. Cast and crew attend all day workshops that day and rehearse for the performance that evening. The cast, accompanied by a professional pit orchestra for the performance, sings a medley from their production of Cinderella. All winners are announced that night at the ceremony.
Barker is nominated in six categories:
- Outstanding Musical Production
- Outstanding Dramatic Performance
- Outstanding Supporting Actress - Julia Kalynycz
- Outstanding Technical Design
- Outstanding Scenic Design
- Outstanding Costumes
Congratulations to the cast and crew members and best of luck at the Kenny Awards.
All-County Musicians Recognized
March 3 & 4, 2023 -- 7 students received All-County music recognition this school year. The Niagara County Music Educators Association selected the following students from Barker Jr.-Sr. High School:
NCMEA Jr. High All-County Band (March 3-4 @ Niagara Falls HS):
- Julia Kalynycz - Percussion
- Adeline Atwater - Trumpet
- Addisyn Weller - Clarinet
- Riley Marciszewski - Baritone
Sr. High All-County Band (February 3-4 @ Roy-Hart Senior HS):
- Michael Kalynycz - Percussion
- Matthew Goodwin - Baritone
NCMEA Sr. High All-County Chorus (March 3-4 @ Niagara Falls HS):
- Caleb Pierce
Goodwin & Marciszewski Perform Solos
June 8, 2022
On Saturday, June 8th, Matthew Goodwin and Riley Marciszewski performed a solo at NYSSMA (New York State Student Music Association). Matthew Goodwin received a 96% on a Level 6 Baritone Solo. The highest level of difficulty. Riley Marciszewski also earned 96% on a Level 5 French Horn Solo. Congratulations to both Matthew Goodwin and Riley Marciszewski. Keep up the great work.
Bands Perform At Darien Lake Music Festival
June 3, 2022
DARIEN -- On Friday, June 3rd, the Barker Junior High Band competed at the Darien Lake Music Festival and placed 2nd out of 24 Junior High Bands.
On Friday, June 3rd, the Barker Senior High Band competed at the Darien Lake Music Festival and placed 3rd out of 11 high school bands. Congratulations to all Barker Music students. You represented Barker with pride.
Hopkins Wins Kenny
May 21, 2022
BUFFALO -- On Saturday, May 21st the Barker musical theatre production of Little Women was in the running for several categories at the 2022 Kenny Awards in Buffalo. These awards, held through The Lipke Foundation and the Shea's Performing Arts Center, are essentially a local high school version of the Tony Awards for theatre and serve to highlight the many aspects of the high school musical, both on and off stage.
Prior to this year, schools would apply for one of 10 available places in the competition, and from there awards would be handed out. This year, for the first time, any school who wanted to participate could do so, and any student in a non-participating school could submit a personal audition. With this rule change, the odds of winning became even smaller, yet, out of the seventeen districts and numerous individual submissions from around the counties of Niagara, Alleghany, Erie, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus, Barker senior Elizabeth Hopkins was awarded the Kenny for Outstanding Leading Performance in a Female Role. What's more, because of Shea's involvement in the Broadway League, this win means Lizzie will be sent by Shea's to New York City, where she will represent our region in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as The Jimmy Awards. Here Lizzie will compete on Broadway at the famous Nederlander Theatre against students from 42 other Broadway League organizations across the country.
In addition to an award recognizing her talent, Lizzie will be in the running for one of multiple scholarships of up to $25,000. While winning the Jimmy would be an incredible honor, the fact that Lizzie will be one of only 86 high schoolers from around the country to participate in this event is proof not only of her talents, but her continued drive and determination in her work as a performer.
Barker Well Represented at Jr. High Area All-State Festival
May 20 & 21, 2022
SANBORN -- Friday and Saturday May 20 and 21, eight students represented Barker at the NYSSMA Jr. High Area All-State Festival. While eleventh and twelfth grade students have a chance at participating in the state-wide conference ensembles, the highest level available for students in grades 7-10 is Area All-State. While Barker regularly has strong representation at these festivals, this past weekend was particularly significant. Membership in this year's ensembles, which brings together the best 7th, 8th and 9th grade musicians from the counties of Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua, was decided based on video auditions submitted last May. Though many schools chose not to participate in this new format, or scaled back their involvement considerably, Barker kept its numbers as strong as ever. Because of this commitment, Barker students made up over one tenth of the entire chorus. In addition to having the best choral representation in Niagara County, the Barker chorus was tied as the second most represented group out of 87 eligible districts in the four participating counties. Congratulations to: David Westcott, Alexis Dauphinee, Connor Dwyer, Shelby Dauphinee, James Giarla, Gloria Haller, and Caleb Pierce.
An additional accolade goes to Michael Kalynycz who, out of the 87 eligible districts, was selected as the one and only drum set player for the Jr. High Jazz Band.
High School Band Receive Silver Rating
May 18, 2022
SPENCERPORT -- Wednesday, May 18th, the HS Concert Band performed at Spencerport, High School for the New York State Student Music Association Majors competition. Their performance was outstanding. The judges awarded them a Silver Rating. Congratulations to the Barker HS Band Students on a great job. You represented Barker with pride and respect.