Port Chester Middle School Musicians Score High Marks In Competition

Musicians from Port Chester Middle School earned four trophies at a competition in Kutztown and Fleetwood, PA. 

Competing among groups from eight schools representing New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Port Chester’s students excelled in all three of their performance areas.

The PCMS Show Choir, under the direction of Mark Zizolfo, received a “SUPERIOR” rating, earning a First-place trophy, with scores of 91 and 92. The Show Choir is an extra-curricular group that rehearses after school.  It consists of twenty-seven students from grades seven and eight, who audition for placement.  The Show Choir performance features group and solo singing with an original choreographed stage routine.

Directed by Ken Kraut, the PCMS Jazz Band received an “EXCELLENT” rating, scoring 86 and 87, to earn a Third-place trophy among the Jazz Bands in its class. The PCMS Jazz Band is an extra-curricular group that rehearses once weekly before school, consisting of twenty-four students from grades six through eight.

Another “SUPERIOR” rating, with scores of 90 and 92 was earned by the PCMS Select Band, a concert band directed by Ken Kraut.  Their score also earned them the prestigious honor of “Best Overall Concert Band,” recognizing the highest score of the Festival.  The Select Band is an extra-curricular group made up of eighty-seven students, chosen by audition, from grades six through eight, which rehearses before school once weekly.

Following their busy competition schedule, the PCMS musicians spent the afternoon at Dorney Park.