Music in Hilton Schools

Hilton Music Faculty: K-12 Music Program Coordinator Nancy Russo; High School - Adam Klock, Jared Streiff; Middle School - Charles Kane, Hope Randolph, Katherine Klock; Northwood Elementary School - Kristen Coon, Kim Rudd, Tim Stodd, Sonja Volkmar; Quest Elementary School - Shana Conheady, Beth Fabrizio, Heidi Reese; Village Elementary School - Linda Davis, Belinda Martz, Peter Madsen, Charles Palella, Melissa Reed, Tammy Reddinger.  For further information about music in the Hilton Schools, Program Director Nancy Russo, right, may be reached at 585-392-1000 ext. 2284.

Alumni Band Concert Video Highlights 

NYSSMA Schedule

The University of Rochester YELLOW JACKETS are coming to Hilton High School Feb. 3, 2012  Don't miss the "Sing-Off" semi-finalists, the U of R YellowJackets  Feb. 3 at the HHS auditorium, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm. Tickets $10. - Order Form - Information: teacher Vicki Newman - 585-392-1000 ext. 2385.

Evening of Jazz at Merton Williams Middle School for Feb. 10 features multiple guest artists The Hilton HS and Merton Williams Jazz Departments, along with the Hilton Music Boosters are presenting their 9th Annual Evening of Jazz. This event will be held on Friday February 10, 2012 at the Merton Williams Middle School. This years’ show, entitled “A Rochester Connection” is going to feature multiple guest artists with ties to the Rochester area.  These artists include Paul V. Gaspar, Lynn Ligamarri (endorsed by Conn-Selmer), Dave Mancini (endorsed by Yamaha), Joe Santora, Jon “Skeeter” Seiger and John Viavattine.  These guest artists have performed, recorded & played with such national acts as Ella Fitzgerald, Maynard Ferguson, Roy Eldridge, Cabo Frio, Doc Severinson, Eddie Daniels, Jeff Tyzik, Allen Vizzutti, The Temptations, The Four Tops and many more!!!  These Guests will be performing in the “Rochester All-Star Big Band” as well as alongside our High School & Middle School Jazz Bands.  Bios for artists. For more information on the event and to order tickets, please contact HS Jazz Ensemble Director Jared Streiff at 585-392-1000 ext. 2293. 

2012 All-County Festival selections announced  - read more -

High School Chorus and Band Concert Dec. 22, 2011 a tribute to Vietnam-era and all veterans. - read more -

2011 All-State Selections Sr. and Jr. High - Allison Shields has been accepted as an alternate flautist for one of the All State ensembles and Anne Taylor has been accepted to participate in the 2011 All State Symphonic Band; MW Middle School Instrumental Students: Alyssa Reese -clarinet, Victoria Rivera - clarinet, Maura Connorton - bassoon; ninth grade instrumental students: Jacob Kuebler - euphonium; Brandon Bourg - trumpet; Zach DiVasta - percussion [orchestra].   -  read more  -

Hilton named one of the nation's Best Communities for Music Education 2011  Hilton CSD is honored by the National Association of Music Merchants located in Carlsbad, CA for third time: 2011, 2010 and 2008. - read more -

Hilton Marching Band voted "Best Marching Band in Rochester" on WARM 101.3 will perform on stage at GEVA May 10, 2011  In honor of the Hilton Marching Band being voted "Best Marching Band in Rochester" on the WARM 101.3 contest, the Band will be performing on stage at GEVA Theater's The Music Man May 10 at 6 pm. There will be between 40-45 Hilton Marching Band members participating.  - read more -

Hilton High School GRAMMY Signature School Semi-Finalist for 2011 Award  Hilton High School Music Program Coordinator Nancy Russo has received word from the GRAMMY Foundation of Santa Monica, California that Hilton High School is one of only 129 semi-finalists in a pool of 5,000 schools for the prestigious GRAMMY Signature School Award to be announced in 2011.  Hilton High School was also a finalist in 2009, 2008 and 2004.  The GRAMMY Award signifies excellence in recording and the GRAMMY Signature Schools is designed to honor exceptional public high school music programs across the country with special awards and grants from $500 - $5,000.  Award winners are announced in March 2011. GRAMMY Signature Schools exhibit excellent performance ensembles; high quality instruction in multiple musical genres offered in the school district; high quality instruction available to all students in non-performance music courses such as music history; a variety of avenues provide music education to a larger segment of the student population than those in performance courses.  "We will now submit recordings of our performances a performance CD of the Wind/Jazz Ensemble, Chorale and Women's Chorus and supplemental materials in order to move on to the next step," said Ms. Russo. Hilton High School music includes Concert and Symphonic Bands, Choruses and Chorales, the DaCapo Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Crimson Cadet Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Piano, Music Theory [both AP and IB] as well as a variety of courses and performance groups taught by Ms. Russo, Mr. Jared Streiff and Mr. Adam Klock.  For further information about music in the Hilton Schools, Program Director Nancy Russo may be reached at 585-392-1000 ext. 2284.

Hilton named one of the nation's Best Communities for Music Education 2011  "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation [National Association of Music Merchants located in Carlsbad, CA] for third time: 2011, 2010 and 2008.  Hilton Central School District has been named one of the "Best Communities for Music Education" by the NAMM Foundation [National Association of Music Merchants] May 5, 2011 for the third time in four years.  Hilton Music Program Coordinator Nancy Russo said, “We have a balanced music program which promotes well-rounded students as well as valuing music equally with sports, academics and other activities.”   For further information about music in the Hilton Schools, Program Director Nancy Russo may be reached at 585-392-1000 ext. 2284.

At right, Marching Band performs on stage May 10 at GEVA theater before a performance of "The Music Man."

Merton Williams' Performing Groups at the Darien Lake Music Festival June 5, 2010: eighth grade band – superior rating with a score of 94.5% and placed third; Wind Ensemble – superior rating with a score of 95% and placed first; Jazz Ensemble – received highest rating of Outstanding with Distinction with a score of 98.3 and placed first; Jazz Ensemble also received 5 outstanding soloist awards and 4 outstanding section awards; Chorale received a superior rating placing them in first against eight other choral groups; Broadway Babies received a 95% superior rating placing them fourth against seven other women’s choirs; Noteworthy Young Men received a 94% superior rating placing them in first. Congratulations to music teachers Chuck Kane, Kathryn Thompson and Hope Randolph.

Hilton High School Percussion Drumline

Hilton High School Percussion Drumline Championship in WGI Competition  The Hilton High School Percussion Drumline placed second at the NYS Percussion Circuit Championships held at Victor HS in Victor, NY on Mar. 28, 2010.  Hilton also placed third in the Percussion Scholastic A Finals at the WinterGuard International Regional Competition held in Mullica Hill, NUJ on Mar. 20, 2010.  

2009, 2008, 2007 Seasons  The Hilton HS Percussion Drumline placed first in the PSA Division at the WGI Regional in Troy, Michigan March 21, 2009.  WinterGuard International is the world organization for drumlines and colorguards. Hilton HS has now placed first in a WGI Regional for each of the last four years: 2009 in Troy, Michigan; 2008 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania; 2007 in Coatesville; and 2006 in Stratford, Connecticut. Hilton High School competed in seven separate contests in 2009 and placed first in all but one: first place February 7, 2009 at Midlakes High School; second place February 28, 2008 at Hilton High School; first place March 7, 2007 at Phoenix High School; first place March 21, 2007 at the WGI Regional Prelims in Troy, Michigan; first place March 28, 2009 Marcus Whitman; and first place April 5, 2009, NYSPC Championships. "2009 has been a legendary season for the Hilton Drumline!" commented Drumline Director and Arranger Tim Stodd, instrumental music teacher at Hilton's Northwood Elementary School. The 2009 program is based on George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and features formally dressed percussionists playing their instruments marching elaborate drill maneuvers and dancing in a 1930’s art deco ballroom setting.  The WGI review said this about Hilton: "Hilton HS (Scholastic Marching A 85.55-1st) with all males dressed in formal wear with white suit coats and the ladies in black and gold, Hilton performed selections from Gershwins Porgy and Bess. And perform they did!  Very nice sounds where mixed with some fine old style dancing. This group from New York sounded bigger than they actually were. This group quickly became a fan favorite, rightly so!" Musical and drill movements are arranged by Mr. Stodd.  The staff members include Ken and Juli Brooks, Mary Burke, and Hilton Alumnus Nick Finzer.  The win at WGI Troy Regional marks the fourth consecutive year that Hilton HS has placed first in a nationally recognized WGI Regional competition. Hilton is a member of NY State Percussion Circuit  Seniors Nick Jackson and Brenna Helfer accepted the first place award. For further information and to contact Mr. Stodd: Northwood Elementary School, 433 North Greece Road, Hilton, NY  14468;  585-392-1000 ext. 4220. 

Merton Williams Middle School Music Groups 'Superior' at '09 Darien Lake Music Festival   Merton Williams Middle School music groups had an outstanding showing at the Darien Lake Music Festival May 30.  The MW Chorale, directed by Kate Thompson and Hope Randolph, placed second and received a Superior rating and competing against 11 other middle school choruses; Broadway Babies, directed by Hope Randolph, placed second and received a Superior rating competing against three high school women's groups; and NYM [Noteworthy Young Men], directed by Kate Thompson, placed first and received a Superior rating.  The eighth grade band, directed by Charles Kane, placed third and received a Superior rating competing against seven other middle school bands; the Jazz Band, directed by Charles Kane, placed second and received a Superior rating competing against four other groups; and the Wind Ensemble, directed by Charles Kane, placed first and received the highest rating of Outstanding with Distinction.

Percussion Master Class at Hilton High School   The Hilton High School and Hilton's Merton Williams Middle School Music Departments collaborated to provide for seventh to twelfth grade percussion students a Percussion Master Class with Michael Burritt, percussion professor at The Eastman School of Music.  Professor Burritt received his Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees, as well as the prestigious Performers Certificate from the Eastman School of Music.  At right are Nick Jackson, a member of the Winter Drumline, Wind Ensemble and Marching Band as well as Robert’s Wesleyan Honors Band and the All County Orchestra, with Mr. Burritt.