Musical Events Hit Seasonal High Note at BOCES Schools

There was dancing in the aisles this week, as students from the Pines Bridge and Walden schools, both on Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES’ Yorktown campus, were treated to two different musical visits: one from a band comprised of IBM employees and the other from the Somers High School Bell Choir.

During the IBM performance, students danced and sang, as vocalist Dorian D’Ausilio led her band from one holiday favorite to another. During numbers such as “Winter Wonderland” and “Frosty the Snowman,” students showed their appreciation by moving to the music and, in some cases, stepping up to the microphone to show off their vocal chops.

Away from their day jobs as technical engineers and researchers, the band members clearly enjoyed their interactions with the students. “Each one of us has a personal connection to special needs children,” said D’Ausilio, who normally spends her workday handling communication projects for IBM. “Nothing feels as good as giving,” she said. “It just fills your heart.”

The very next day, the same students enjoyed another musical performance, this time by the Somers High School Bell Choir, directed by Steve Checuti. The Somers students, some wearing Santa caps, elf costumes and reindeer antlers, sang and played holiday favorites to the BOCES students’ delight.

A highlight of the performance was when the performers danced and sang with the students in the audience. The Somers students also handed out instruments, such as jingling bells, so that the BOCES students could join in the musical fun.

“It was wonderful to see the Somers students interacting with our students,” said Bob Kelderhouse, Pines Bridge principal. “Our students really enjoyed having an opportunity to play the bells.” He also noted that this was the first year that the choir performed for both Walden and Pines Bridge schools.