Music in Hilton Schools

Hilton Music Faculty: K-12 Music Program Coordinator Nancy Russo; High School - Adam Klock, Jared Streiff, Nicholas Williams; Middle School - Charles Kane, Hope Randolph, Katherine Thompson; 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, Peter Madsen, Charles Palella, Melissa Reed, Tammy Reddinger.  For further information about music in the Hilton Schools, Program Director Nancy Russo may be reached at 585-392-1000 ext. 2284.

Hilton Music Boosters Officers 2009-10: President Rich Rivera; Vice President Robin Weber; Treasurer Christine DiMartino; Recording Secretary Eileen Hagen; Corresponding Secretary Charleen Williams; Trustee Cheryl Stiles; Trustee Carol Bocach.

Seventy-two Hilton students selected for All-County Music Concerts

Evening of Jazz Feb. 5 at Merton Williams

Hilton Students selected for Roberts Wesleyan Honors Band

Music Opportunities at the Middle School Level

Hilton Jazz Ensemble at 2009 Rochester International Jazz Festival

Crimson Cadet Marching Band 

Percussion Drumline

2008-09 All-County Festival Instrumental and Vocalist Selections

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 are collaborating to provide for seventh to twelfth grade percussion students a Percussion Masterclass 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.

Hilton High School Percussion Drumline Championship in '09 WGI Competition  Congratulations to 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. 

Hilton HS Music a GRAMMY Signature School Finalist  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 150 finalists in a pool of 5,000 schools for the GRAMMY Signature Schools Award to be announced in 2009.  Hilton High School was also a finalist in 2008 and 2004. 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 and supplemental materials in order to move on to the next step," said Ms. Russo.  For a list of 2009 Grammy Signature School Finalists and the criteria, visit:  www.GrammyintheSchools.com   Hilton High School music includes Concert and Symphonic Bands, Choruses and Chorales, the DaCapo Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Crimson Cadet Marching Band, Wind Ensemble as well as a variety of courses and performance groups taught by Ms. Russo, Mr. Nicholas Williams, Mr. Jared Streiff and Mr. Adam Klock.  Annually Hilton music groups win awards in adjudicated competitions, area music festivals and other contests.  The school has a long and proud musical history having sent its marching band to Japan in the 1960s. The Winter Drumline maintains a national ranking nationally winning World Finalist in 2006 and Northeast Regional Champions in 2006 and 2007.  Its Jazz Ensemble has been invited to perform for the past several years at the Rochester International Jazz Festival.  Hilton High School graduates have a tradition of pursuing careers in music instruction and performance.  For further information: GRAMMY Foundation.  For more about the Music Program in Hilton Schools, Ms. Nancy Russo may be reached at 585-392-1000 ext. 2284.  

Hilton named one of the nation's "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation; prestigious honor for Hilton   With GRAMMY Signature School finalist recognitions, a nationally-ranked Percussion Drumline, the widely-known and loved Crimson Cadet Marching Band, a noted Jazz Ensemble which plays each year at the Rochester International Jazz Festival, many community and area concerts, as well as an outstanding faculty supported by the community-based Hilton Music Boosters, it is not surprising that Hilton Central School District has been named one of the "Best Communities for Music Education" by the NAMM Foundation [National Association of Music Merchants] April 28, 2008.  Three districts in Monroe County received the honor: Hilton CSD; Rush-Henrietta CSD; Webster CSD, three of only 110 in the nation.  Selection was based on a NAMM online survey.  "For us as a district, this just reiterates that what we are doing in music is working," said Hilton Music Program Coordinator Nancy Russo. “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.