Nine Bulkeley Middle School students were chosen to perform in the 2025 Dutchess County Music Educators Association’s Junior High All-County Festival at Beacon High School on Jan. 25.
Five singers – Sky D’Ordine, Jack Peterson, Janie D’Ordine, Vika Hasselmark and Mela Palms – were selected to sing with the All-County Chorus. Four musicians – Anna Raitt, McKenna Bresnahan, Alexandra Inteeworn and Adelina Knapp – were chosen to perform with the All-County Band.
“I think it’s inspiring for the kids to be around other students who are excited about music, to meet students from different schools, to work with a new conductor to learn new music,” said chorus teacher Dan Conroy. “I think they leave feeling really inspired.”
Ninety-one students were selected to perform with the band from 13 Dutchess County school districts and five private schools. Seventy-four students were chosen to sing with the chorus.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Adelina Knapp, a seventh grader who played the French horn. “We sounded so professional. Everyone was really into it. Our conductor was really nice.
“I just felt the music and it was so much fun playing with people who really like playing an instrument.”
Students arrived for a six-hour rehearsal on the day prior to the concert. A second rehearsal was held on the day of the concert.
“It was really tiring and I was exhausted, but it was really fun and it paid off. We sounded like a high school band,” said seventh grader McKenna Bresnahan, who plays the clarinet.
The band performed four songs and the chorus sang five songs. Seventh grader Vika Hasselmark said she enjoyed singing each song, and seventh grader Skye D’Ordine chose “Hush! Somebody’s Callin’ My Name” and “Don’t You Worry About a Thing” as her favorites.
“I’m going to remember being around so many musical kids,” said D’Ordine of her concert memory.
Hasselmark added, “It was so fun. The conductors were so nice and interactive. They teach you so much and you improve. It was such an amazing experience because they are all amazing singers. It’s really fun to hear how good you could sound as a group.”