On Monday, May 11 2015 over 550 students representing nearly every school in the Rochester City School District will participate in the 2015 All-City Concert. The RCSD All-City Concert has been a tradition in Rochester for over 30 years. To accommodate growing participation, this year the performance will take place in Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theater. Seven different ensembles performed– Foundation Chorus, Commencement Chorus, Foundation Orchestra, Commencement Orchestra, Foundation Band, Commencement Band, and the premiere of the All-City Jazz Band. Led by Doug Stone, the All-City Jazz band was designed this year to allow all students in grades 5-12 an opportunity to participate regardless of pervious jazz experience. This year the Commencement Chorus has doubled in size and in the number of participating schools. Included in this ensemble is the entire Districtwide Show Choir—a new program this year open to all District students in grades 7-12. Students worked hard at their schools since February, but as a whole group, they have met just three times to rehearse together. “What makes this experience unique is the opportunity for students from throughout Rochester to prepare music at their individual schools and then practice together for three rehearsals before the concert on May 11th,” said Elizabeth Hanan, Director of Arts. “It’s one thing to perform in your elementary school band with fifty students, but it is a completely different experience to perform with 150 other students in the Foundation Band.”

• published: 14 May 2015
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